Unit Plan 9 (Grade K Math): Add/Take Apart within 5
Introduce addition and subtraction stories within 5 using models (objects, fingers, drawings, five-frames) and simple equations with an unknown; identify parts/whole and explain thinking.
Focus: Introduce addition/subtraction stories within 5 using objects, fingers, drawings, five-frames, and simple equations with an unknown.
Grade Level: K
Subject Area: Mathematics (Operations & Algebraic Thinking)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 30–40 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Students explore put together (add) and take apart (subtract) stories to 5. They act out contexts with counters and fingers, represent with drawings/five-frames, and record simple equations (e.g., 3 + 1 = 4, 4 − 1 = □). Emphasis is on modeling the story, stating what the whole and parts are, and explaining thinking.
Essential Questions
- How can I model an addition or subtraction story with objects, fingers, or a drawing?
- What are the parts and whole in a story, and how do they help me write an equation?
- How do strategies like count on or count back help me work within 5?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Represent addition and subtraction stories to 5 with objects, fingers, drawings, or five-frames.
- Identify the whole and parts in a context and show put together or take apart.
- Record simple equations with +, −, =, and an unknown symbol (□) to match a model.
- Use count on/count back to build fluency within 5 and explain solutions.
Standards Alignment — CCSS Kindergarten (threaded across the unit)
- K.OA.1 (within 5): Represent addition and subtraction with objects, fingers, drawings, sounds, acting out, verbal explanations, expressions, or equations.
- K.OA.2 (within 5): Solve addition and subtraction word problems and add/subtract within 10 using objects/drawings and equations with a symbol for the unknown (this unit focuses within 5).
- K.OA.5: Fluently add and subtract within 5.
- Mathematical Practices: MP.4 (Model with mathematics) emphasized; MP.2 (reasoning) & MP.6 (precision) threaded.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can show a story with counters/fingers/drawings and tell the parts and the whole.
- I can write an equation that matches my model (with +, −, =, and □).
- I can count on/back and solve within 5, then explain how I know.