Addition Beginnings

Lesson 1: Introduction to Addition

Year Level:

Year 1

Duration:

30 minutes

Class Size:

20 students

Curriculum Alignment

This lesson addresses the Australian Curriculum v9 content description:

AC9M1N04 - Add and subtract numbers within 20, using physical and virtual materials, part-part-whole knowledge to 10 and a variety of calculation strategies.

Key elaborations to focus on:

Using physical materials and number combinations within 10 to add collections to 20.
Understanding ‘putting together’ groups to find totals through hands-on materials.
Representing addition with appropriate language and symbols (plus + and equals = signs).

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

Understand the concept of addition as ‘putting together’ groups of objects.
Use counters or blocks to physically combine two groups and find the total.
Express the addition process verbally using sentences such as "3 and 2 make 5."
Recognise and use the plus (+) and equals (=) symbols in simple addition.
Engage with addition through a fun, memorable song to reinforce the concept.

Resources Needed

Counters or small blocks (at least 10 per student)
Whiteboard and markers
Printed addition symbol cards (+ and =)
Audio equipment for playing the addition song
Visual aids with number sentences (e.g., 2 + 3 = 5)

Detailed Lesson Plan

1. Warm-Up & Introduction (5 minutes)

Gather students on the floor or a group table.
Introduce addition by telling a simple story: "If I have 3 toy cars and I get 2 more, how many do I have altogether?"
Show two small groups of counters representing the numbers in the story.
Ask students what they notice and how they might find out the total number.

2. Exploration with Physical Materials (10 minutes)

Distribute counters or blocks: 10 to each student or pair.
Give simple tasks:
- "Can you make a group of 4 counters and another group of 3 counters?"
- "Now, put the two groups together. How many do you have all up?"
Encourage students to count all counters slowly to find the total.
Circulate to support counting and language use.
Introduce the symbols + and = on cards and whiteboard.
Write number sentences with their totals, e.g., 4 + 3 = 7.
Repeat with 2 or 3 more examples using different small numbers.

3. Addition Song & Movement (5 minutes)

Play an addition song with simple lyrics about adding small numbers and “putting together.”
Invite students to sing along with actions like clapping or tapping to count.
Reinforce the idea that addition is joining groups to make a new number.

4. Guided Practice using Think Boards (5 minutes)

Use a large Think Board or paper divided into two parts and a total section:
- Left section: first group of counters drawn or placed.
- Right section: second group of counters.
- Total section: the combined counters.
Ask volunteers to come up and model an addition task using objects or drawings.
Together, write the matching number sentence on the board.

5. Wrap-up and Assessment (5 minutes)

Ask informal questions to check understanding:
- "What does addition mean?"
- "If I have 5 counters and get 2 more, what do I do?"
- "What is the sign we use for putting groups together?"
Quick formative assessment: Provide 2 small groups of counters to each student and ask them to combine and state the total verbally or by writing a number sentence (with support).
Praise all efforts and encourage students to practise “putting together” things during their break time.

Differentiation

For students requiring extra support:
- Use smaller numbers (within 5).
- Provide one-on-one counting guidance.
For advanced learners:
- Challenge by asking them to add two groups without counting individually but by recognising 'subitising' or ‘known facts’ (e.g., 5 + 2).

Links to General Capabilities & Cross-Curriculum Priorities

Literacy: Language development through describing addition processes and number story-telling.
Critical and Creative Thinking: Using materials to explore quantities and different ways to combine them.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures: Incorporate mention of First Nations’ storytelling traditions and modes of teaching through dance and song as elaborated in AC9M1N04_E5 to connect learning culturally.

Notes for Teachers

Be patient with slow counters; addition is a new concept at this stage.
Use encouraging praise frequently.
Allow time for physical interaction with counters—this is critical to concrete understanding.
The addition song is a memory aid and should be lively and engaging.

This lesson plan is designed to spark enthusiasm and fundamental understanding of addition in young learners, fully aligned with the Australian Curriculum v9 Mathematics Year 1 standards, forming a solid starting point for the unit “Addition Adventures in Maths”.