Lesson Plan: Represent and Solve Add To and Take From with Change Unknown Problems
Grade Level
Grade 1
Subject
Mathematics
Duration
30 minutes
Lesson Objective
Students will be able to represent and solve addition and subtraction problems where the change is unknown. They will understand how to use objects and drawings to show the problems and come up with solutions.
Materials Needed
- Whiteboard and markers
- Counters (small objects like blocks, buttons, or coins)
- Worksheet with addition and subtraction problems
- Pencils
- Chart paper for group work
Introduction (5 minutes)
-
Engage Students:
- Begin with a brief discussion about addition and subtraction. Ask students if they have ever lost something (change) and how they figured out how much they had left.
- Share real-life scenarios (e.g., “You have 5 apples, you give away some apples, and then someone gives you more apples. How do we figure out how many apples you have now?”).
-
Introduce Vocabulary:
- Explain key terms: “Add To,” “Take From,” and “Change Unknown.”
- Provide examples on the board to illustrate each term.
Direct Instruction (10 minutes)
-
Model the Problems:
- Use a simple equation on the whiteboard. For example, “You have 6 cookies, and you give some away, but you don’t remember how many. Now you have 3 left.”
- Write the equation: 6 - ? = 3
- Ask students to identify the unknown.
-
Use of Counters:
- Distribute counters to each student or pair of students.
- Encourage them to act out the scenarios using the counters to solve the problems while they see the process physically.
-
Demonstrate on the Board:
- Show how to represent the problem with a number sentence and draw a picture if needed.
Guided Practice (10 minutes)
-
Group Work:
- Divide students into small groups.
- Provide each group with a different “Add To” or “Take From” problem where the change is unknown. For example:
- “Sam had 4 candies. He was given some more and now has 7 candies. How many did he receive?”
- “Lucy had 10 stickers. She gave away some and now has 8 left. How many stickers did she give away?”
-
Share Findings:
- After solving, allow each group time to share how they solved the problem, including their drawings or counter models. Use chart paper to display their findings.
Independent Practice (5 minutes)
- Distribute a worksheet containing a mix of “Add To” and “Take From” problems with an emphasis on change unknown. For instance:
- “Maria has 5 flowers. Some flowers were picked. Now she has 2 flowers left. How many were picked?” (5 - ? = 2)
- “There are 8 birds in the tree. Some flew away, and now there are 5 birds left. How many flew away?” (8 - ? = 5)
Closure (2 minutes)
-
Review Key Ideas:
- Recap the importance of knowing how to find unknown change in addition and subtraction.
- Ask one or two students to share what they learned today.
-
Preview Homework:
- Explain homework will give them more practice with similar problems.
Homework Assignment
Tasks:
- Solve the following problems at home:
-
Emma had 9 balloons. Some popped, and now she has 4 balloons left. How many popped?
Answer: 5 (9 - 5 = 4)
-
Jake collected 7 seashells. He found some more shells and now has 10. How many did he find?
Answer: 3 (7 + 3 = 10)
-
Lisa has 6 books. She gave away some books to a friend and now has 2 left. How many did she give away?
Answer: 4 (6 - 4 = 2)
-
There were 5 ducks swimming in the pond. Some ducks joined, and now there are 8 ducks. How many joined?
Answer: 3 (5 + 3 = 8)
Assessment
- Evaluate student understanding through their participation in group work, accuracy of their independent practice, and completion of homework. Adjust future lessons based on observations and results.