Building Number Sense

Lesson Overview

Grade Level: Year 1
Subject: Mathematics
Duration: 45 minutes
Class Size: 12 students
Curriculum Reference: Alberta Mathematics (Grade 1) – Number Sense (Addition and Subtraction)

This lesson will introduce students to basic addition and subtraction using both conventional mathematical methods and Indigenous ways of knowing, emphasizing storytelling, nature-based learning, and hands-on activities.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

1. Develop an understanding of basic addition and subtraction within 10 using hands-on methods.
2. Use Indigenous ways of knowing, such as storytelling and nature-based learning, to explore number combinations.
3. Demonstrate problem-solving skills through practical activities and group discussions.

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Materials Needed

• Small stones, berries, or wooden counters (natural materials)
• Counting mats or small baskets
• Visual number line (floor or board version)
• Story cards featuring Indigenous stories involving numbers
• Whiteboard and markers

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Lesson Breakdown

Introduction (10 mins) – Number Stories from Nature

1. Begin with a short Indigenous story about counting (e.g., how animals gather food or how trees grow in a cycle).
2. Discuss the key numbers within the story and ask students to identify patterns (e.g., "How many birds were in the tree? What happened when two flew away?").
3. Write a simple addition/subtraction equation based on the story on the board (e.g., 5 – 2 = 3).

Guided Exploration (15 mins) – Hands-on Counting

1. Using Natural Materials:

   • Distribute small stones or wooden counters. Ask students to group them in sets of 2, 3, or 4.
   • Model an addition question: "If I have 3 stones and add 2 more, how many do I have?" Write the equation on the board (3 + 2 = 5).

2. Interactive Subtraction:

   • Use the same stones/berries for subtraction: "If I take 1 away, how many are left?" (5 – 1 = 4).
   • Encourage students to create their own simple subtraction problems using their materials.

3. Movement Activity:

   • Place a number line on the floor. Call out an equation (e.g., 2 + 3), and students physically step forward to land on the correct answer.
   • Reverse for subtraction (e.g., starting at 7 and stepping back 3 spaces).

Independent Practice (10 mins) – Math in Our Environment

1. Take students outside (or provide pictures of nature-related items indoors).
2. Ask them to find natural objects (leaves, sticks, small stones) and create their own math problems using these materials. Example: "I found 6 leaves and 2 blew away. How many are left?"
3. Students share their equations with a partner or the class.

Conclusion & Reflection (10 mins) – Sharing Knowledge

1. Gather students together and ask reflection questions:
   • "What did you notice about adding and subtracting using nature?"
   • "How does counting in a story help us understand numbers?"
2. Summarize key learnings and introduce next lesson: patterns in numbers.

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Assessment Strategies

• Observation: Monitor students during hands-on activities to assess understanding.
• Discussion Participation: Take note of students' contributions during storytelling and problem-sharing.
• Practical Application: Check individual student work with natural materials to confirm correct addition/subtraction answers.

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Differentiation & Support

• For students needing extra support: Use small visual aids (dot cards, fingers, or number blocks).
• For students ready for challenge: Introduce simple word problems related to the story, such as "What if two more animals joined?"

This lesson integrates mathematical understanding with Indigenous ways of knowing, providing students with a practical, engaging, and culturally meaningful approach to early numeracy.