Festive Number Fun

Overview

A 60-minute maths session for Year 1–2 students focusing on revising addition and subtraction with a fun Christmas theme. The lesson caters to a range of abilities through differentiated, hands-on and creative activities aligned closely with the Victorian Curriculum.

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Curriculum Alignment

• Victorian Curriculum Content Descriptions:

  • Year 1:

    • AC9M1N04 — Add and subtract numbers within 20 using physical and virtual materials, part-part-whole knowledge to 10, and a variety of calculation strategies.
    • AC9M1N05 — Use mathematical modelling to solve practical additive problems; represent situations with diagrams, materials and use calculation strategies.

  • Year 2:

    • AC9M2N04 — Add and subtract one- and two-digit numbers, representing problems using number sentences, part-part-whole reasoning, and various calculation strategies.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:

1. Confidently add and subtract numbers within 20 (Year 1) or up to 99 (Year 2).
2. Apply a range of mental and physical strategies such as counting on/back, partitioning, and part-part-whole thinking.
3. Represent addition and subtraction problems using number sentences and pictorial diagrams.
4. Engage in collaborative and individual tasks to demonstrate understanding through creative, Christmas-themed activities.
5. Work effectively at their own level through differentiated tasks, maintaining engagement throughout the lesson.

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Lesson Breakdown (60 mins)

Time	Activity	Description	Differentiation	Resources
0-10 mins	Warm-up and Introduction

• Start with a lively Christmas-themed counting song or rhyme (e.g., "5 Little Snowmen").
• Quick oral revision of addition and subtraction with Christmas objects such as candy canes or baubles.
• Visual demonstration on classroom board showing part-part-whole model with Christmas tree decorations. | All students can join in. Provide physical counters for those needing tactile support. | Large picture cards; counters like red/green blocks or bells; visual whiteboard | | 10-25 mins | Hands-on Group Activity: ‘Santa’s Workshop’ Addition/Subtraction
• Students act as helpers at Santa’s workshop managing presents.
• Given ‘present cards’ with numbers, students add or subtract the gifts according to story prompts ("Santa had 12 gifts, then gave away 5… how many now?").
• Groups use manipulatives (counters, ten-frames, number lines) to solve problems.
• Teacher circulates to scaffold. | Three difficulty levels:
  • Level 1: Addition/subtraction within 10 using counters and ten-frames (support).
  • Level 2: Addition/subtraction within 20 using part-part-whole charts (most students).
  • Level 3: Addition/subtraction to 99 with number sentences and written recording (challenge). | Printed Christmas ‘present cards’, counters, ten-frames, number sentences sheets, part-part-whole charts | | 25-35 mins | Interactive Digital/Virtual Tool Time (Optional)
• Use an interactive whiteboard app or website of simple addition/subtraction games with Christmas themes.
• Alternatively, teacher-led demonstration modelling adding/subtracting using virtual ten-frame apps. | Individual or small group use. Tailored to ability levels using app settings. | Tablets or computer with maths app; projector/interactive whiteboard | | 35-50 mins | Worksheet and Creative Christmas Maths
• Students complete differentiated worksheets designed around addition and subtraction story problems with Christmas characters and settings.
• Worksheets include:
  • Level 1: Simple sums to 10 with pictures (e.g., "How many reindeer? 6 + 3 = ?").
  • Level 2: Number sentences within 20 with a space to draw pictures.
  • Level 3: Word problems requiring two-step operations within 99, with space for number sentences and drawing part-part-whole diagrams.
• Creative Element: Students design their own Christmas math story or problem and swap with a partner to solve. | Worksheet variations; drawing and writing support; peer learning for creative task | Differentiated worksheets, pencils, coloured pens | | 50-58 mins | Class Sharing and Reflection
• Groups or pairs share their creative problems or solutions.
• Reflect on strategies used: counting on, partitioning, part-part-whole.
• Highlight connection between addition and subtraction as inverse operations where relevant. | Open class discussion with scaffolded questioning | Students’ worksheets, visual aids | | 58-60 mins | Cool Down – Christmas Maths Riddle
• Present a fun Christmas-themed maths riddle or puzzle for the class to solve together as a closing challenge. | All levels can participate in discussion | Whiteboard with riddle text |

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Assessment & Feedback

• Formative:

  • Observations during group and independent activities for use of strategies and understanding.
  • Worksheet completion reviewed for accuracy and engagement.
  • Oral responses during reflection to assess conceptual understanding.

• Summative:

  • Collected worksheets provide evidence of differentiated progress.
  • Student-created problem stories demonstrate application of addition and subtraction in varied contexts.

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Differentiated Worksheet Examples

1. Level 1 (Support):

   • Matching picture sums to number sentences (e.g., 4 + 3 with pictures of Christmas trees).
   • Filling in missing numbers in simple equations within 10.

2. Level 2 (Mainstream):

   • Word problems with images, sums to 20.
   • Drawing their own part-part-whole diagram after solving.

3. Level 3 (Challenge):

   • Two-step addition and subtraction problems (e.g., “Jessica had 22 baubles, she gave 7 to a friend and then bought 5 more. How many does she have now?”).
   • Writing corresponding number sentences and explaining thinking in a few sentences.

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Teaching Tips to Enhance Engagement

• Use colourful Christmas manipulatives and themed visuals to maintain interest.
• Incorporate movement by having students act as workshop helpers or moving to different ‘stations’ (e.g., ‘Wrapping station’, ‘Counting station’).
• Use peer support strategically so more confident students assist others.
• Praise inventive problem-creating to foster mathematical creativity.

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This lesson aims to leverage seasonal excitement to deepen understanding in foundational number concepts while honouring the Victorian Curriculum for Years 1 and 2, ensuring rich opportunities for differentiated learning and practical application through hands-on and creative maths exploration.

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References

Victorian Curriculum Mathematics:

• AC9M1N04, AC9M1N05 (Year 1 Number and Algebra - Addition and Subtraction)【4:0,2†AC9M1N04.md, AC9M1N05.md】
• AC9M2N04 (Year 2 Number and Algebra - Addition and Subtraction)