Solving Math Stories

Objective

Use concrete models and pictures to represent and solve addition and subtraction problems up to 10.

Success Criteria

• Students will be able to use objects and pictures to model addition and subtraction within 10.
• Students will explain strategies used to solve problems using spoken words, objects, and pictorial models.
• Students can write simple number sentences that represent the problem-solving process.

TEKS Addressed

1.3E: Explain strategies used to solve addition and subtraction problems up to 10 using spoken words, objects, pictorial models, and number sentences.

Materials Needed

• Counting manipulatives (e.g., blocks, counters)
• Whiteboard and markers
• Chart paper
• Picture cards depicting math stories
• Story problem cards
• Journal or notebook for each student
• Interactive whiteboard or projector
• Access to interactive math games or digital counters
• Math journals

Lesson Outline

Introduction (15 minutes)

1. Hook: Begin with a fun math story relevant to their world, such as "If you have 5 apples and your friend gives you 2 more, how many apples do you have now?" Engage them by using physical apples or apple drawings on the board.

2. Direct Teach: Explain that today they will use objects, pictures, and number sentences to solve math stories. Demonstrate with counting manipulatives, showing 5 blocks on the table, and placing 2 more, visually illustrating addition.

Guided Practice (25 minutes)

1. Pair Activity 1:

   • Objective: Use counting manipulatives to model addition and subtraction.
   • Pair students. Give each pair a set of manipulatives and a story problem card.
   • Ask them to solve the problem using the manipulatives, then explain their strategy to their partner. E.g., "We have 7 cubes and we took away 3 cubes, and now we have 4 cubes left!"

2. Conceptual Refinement:

   • Gather students to share solutions with the class and discuss different strategies they used.
   • As a group, illustrate each pair’s strategy on the board with picture models and number sentences.

Independent Practice (15 minutes)

1. No Worksheets Approach:
   • Using story problem cards, students create their pictorial models in their math journals.
   • Encourage students to "draw their math thinking" using pictures and write their number sentence beneath it.
   • Teacher circulates and supports students, asking guiding questions as needed.

Pair Activity 2 (15 minutes)

1. Interactive Game:
   • Use a digital tool or game on the interactive whiteboard that focuses on addition and subtraction within 10. Games like "Math Playground" or "ABCya!" offer suitable options.
   • Let students pair up and take turns solving problems to reinforce their skills in an engaging manner.

Closure (10 minutes)

1. Reflection:
   • Gather students on the carpet. Ask volunteers to share one math story they worked on and explain their strategy.
   • Emphasize different strategies used and how different methods can reach the same solution.

Journal (5 minutes)

• Have students write in their math journals about what strategies they found most helpful and why.
• Prompt: "Today, I used objects, pictures, and number sentences to solve math stories. My favorite strategy was..."

Extension (for early finishers)

• Provide additional challenging story problems for students who excel to solve independently with their manipulatives and journals.

Assessment

• Observe students' use of manipulatives and pictorial models during pair activities.
• Evaluate their journal entries for understanding of strategies.

This lesson plan is designed to meet the 1st-grade math TEKS for Texas, focusing on encouraging students to explore and articulate their reasoning in solving addition and subtraction problems.