Unit Plan 12 (PreK Math): Make 5
Find how many more are needed to make 5 using five-frames, counters, cubes, or fingers; name the whole and the missing part to build early addition fluency.
Focus: Find the missing part to make 5 using five-frames, fingers, counters, and cubes; name the whole and the part you need.
Grade Level: PreK
Subject Area: Mathematics (Operations in Play)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 20–30 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Children practice seeing “how many more” are needed to make 5. With quick, concrete routines (cover-up, fill-the-frame, cube towers), they notice the missing part, add it, and say the full number sentence: “5 is __ and __.”
Essential Questions
- How do I figure out how many more I need to make 5?
- Which tools (five-frame, counters, cubes, fingers) help me see the missing part?
- How do I show and tell the whole and the parts clearly?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- See and name the missing part to make 5 from a given part.
- Use a five-frame and manipulatives to complete a set to 5.
- Explain solutions using whole/part language (“I have 3; I need 2 more to make 5.”).
- Create simple “Make 5” cards that show a starting part and the added part.
Standards Alignment — Custom CCSS-style Pre-Kindergarten
- PK.OA.4 — Make 5. Finds the part needed to make 5 using five-frames/fingers. Example: Sees 4 and adds 1 to make 5. (Aligns to: K.OA.4, scaled to 5)
- (Supportive) MP.1, MP.4, MP.6, MP.7 — Persevere, model with tools, communicate precisely, notice structure (pairs that make 5).
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can look at what I have and tell how many more I need to make 5.
- I can use a five-frame or cubes to show the missing part.
- I can say the whole/part sentence clearly (e.g., 5 is 3 and 2).