Add with Adventure

Overview

Teacher Age Group: Year 1
Subject Area: Mathematics – Number: Addition and Subtraction
UK Curriculum Reference:
Key Stage 1 (KS1), Year 1 – National Curriculum 2014

Curriculum Statement (Relevant Objective):
"Represent and use number bonds and related subtraction facts within 20. Add and subtract one-digit and two-digit numbers to 20, including zero. Solve one-step problems that involve addition, using concrete objects and pictorial representations."

Lesson Duration: 60 minutes
Class Size: 23 pupils
Teaching Style: Active, exploratory, hands-on learning

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, Year 1 pupils will be able to:

1. Solve simple addition problems (addition within 20).
2. Represent addition using manipulatives (concrete objects).
3. Communicate addition sentences using number bonds and symbols.
4. Work collaboratively in pairs and small groups.

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Key Vocabulary

• Add
• Plus
• Total
• Altogether
• Number bond
• Equal / Equals
• More
• Sum

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Resources

• Countable objects: Counters, teddy bears, cubes, buttons
• Number cards (1–20)
• Giant floor number line (0–20)
• ‘Addventure Island’ game board (teacher-prepared)
• Small baskets or containers (for grouping objects)
• Whiteboards and dry wipe pens
• Reward stickers or stamps
• Interactive addition ‘treasure hunt’ clue cards
• Visualiser (optional)

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Differentiation

Support	Core	Extension
Pair with peer tutor, use numbers to 10 only, adult-confident pairing for scaffolding	Mix of concrete and pictorial representations within 20	Introduce bar model to explain addition reasoning; extend task to addition beyond 20 with visual aids

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Engagement Hook (10 mins)

“Addventure Island!” – Interactive Story Starter
Use storytelling to launch the lesson. Introduce the class to Addventure Island, a magical land where everything works through addition. Pupils must help tired forest animals rest by working out how many have joined their groups — but only if they can add correctly!

Teacher Role: Dramatic storyteller with props (soft toy animal and a treasure box of number cards!). Build excitement: "Are you ready for an Addventure?"

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Input & Modelling (10 mins)

Use of Concrete Examples

With all pupils seated on the carpet, use large teddy bears and cubes. Model a problem:

• "I have 3 teddy bears… then 2 more arrive. How many do I have now?"
• Count out 3, then 2, and physically join them.
• Repeat with a number sentence: “3 + 2 = 5”.

Involve the Class

Invite 2 pupils to come up and work through the next example. Have the rest of the class show the number sentence on mini-whiteboards.

Shift to whole-class choral repetition of number sentences.

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Main Activity – Rotations (30 mins)

Pupils rotate through 3 engaging, hands-on stations in mixed-ability groups.

Station 1: Object Quest (Concrete Practice)

Tasks:

• Pupils work in pairs with baskets and small items (buttons, bears, cubes).
• Draw a number card, count that number into the basket. Draw a second card.
• Combine and calculate the total. Record number sentence using whiteboards.

Adult support available

Station 2: Addventure Island Board Game (Pictorial to Symbolic)

Tasks:

• Spin a spinner to land on a number island (number cards 1–10).
• Pick a challenge card: “Add 4 more flamingos!”
• Use counting cubes to solve and write matching addition sentence.
• Move forward on the board using the solved total.

Station 3: Treasure Hunt Trail (Real-Life Problem Solving)

Tasks:

• Follow a trail around the classroom/outdoor space with clue cards:
  “5 parrots were in the tree, then 3 flew in. How many now?”
• Use clipboards and recording sheets.
• Solve each using mental strategies or object tools available in 'jungle kits'.

TA to lead support with reading if needed

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Plenary (10 mins)

Magic Number Reveal
Back on the carpet — pull mystery number cards from a magic pouch and challenge pupils to work out what combinations add up to that number. ("Let’s find all the ways to make 6!")

Use a large part-whole model to visualise different solutions.

“Addition Rap!” Activity:
Finish with an energy-building chant:
"2 and 3 make 5, I'm doing maths, I'm alive!"
Encourage pupils to make up their own addition raps using the numbers they worked with.

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Assessment Opportunities

✅ Observe pupil strategies at each station
✅ Listen to pupils explain their thinking
✅ Collect whiteboard work and written clues
✅ Check number sentences for accuracy
✅ Use exit tickets at door: "Tell me one number bond for 10"

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Cross-Curricular Links

• Literacy: Language of problem-solving, storytelling from Addventure Island
• Physical Development: Outdoor movement in Treasure Hunt
• PSHE: Team collaboration at stations

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Reflection / Next Steps

For Pupils:

• What did you find tricky about adding?
• Can we find a different way to show the same sum?

For Teacher:

• Identify pupils needing further support with number bonds to 10
• Revisit addition with pictorial strategies next lesson—introduce 10-frames
• Consider creating pupil-led stories involving addition problems for next session

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"Wow" Twist for Next Lesson

Mathemagician’s Toolbox: Introduce a “magical” maths toolkit with sparkly counting wands, invisible number ink, and mystery cubes. Use it to build excitement around addition storytelling and allow pupils to “invent” new number sentences.

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Let’s make addition not just a concept—make it an adventure. With hands-on exploration, vivid storytelling, and cheerful maths magic, you’ll see every child adding with confidence and joy.