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Students learn the basics of addition by putting groups of objects together up to a sum of 10.
Imagine you have 3 juicy apples, and your friend gives you 2 more. How many do you have now? Addition is like a magic trick that helps you count everything together!
When we add, we are putting two or more groups of things together to make a bigger group. Think of it like a party where more friends keep arriving! The word we use for the total amount is the sum. For example, if you have a group of 2 stars and a group of 3 stars, and you put them in one big box, you now have 5 stars. We call this 'adding to' or 'joining' groups.
Quick Check
If you have 2 cats and you get 1 more, are you adding or taking away?
Answer
You are adding.
In math, we use special signs so we don't have to write long sentences. The plus sign tells us to put numbers together. The equals sign tells us the total or the sum. When we see , it is a math sentence that says: 'Three plus one equals four.' It's a shortcut to show that the two small groups now make one bigger group of four.
Let's solve a simple problem step-by-step: 1. Start with 2 cookies: . 2. Add 2 more cookies: . 3. Count them all together: . 4. Write the final math sentence: .
Quick Check
What is the name of the sign that looks like a little cross ()?
Answer
The plus sign.
A number line is like a path with numbers on it. To add using a number line, you start at the first number and 'hop' forward to the right. Each hop represents adding 1. If you start at and want to add , you take two hops forward. Your first hop lands on , and your second hop lands on . The number you land on is your sum!
A frog starts on the number and wants to add more. 1. Place your finger on . 2. Hop forward 3 times: 3. You landed on . 4. The math sentence is: .
Let's try to reach the number 10! 1. Start at the number . 2. We want to add more. 3. Take 5 hops forward: . 4. You reached the end! .
What is the sum of ?
Which symbol do we use to show we are adding?
When you add on a number line, you move to the left.
Review Tomorrow
Tomorrow, try to remember: What is the special name for the answer to an addition problem?
Practice Activity
Find 10 small items (like cereal or buttons). Practice making two groups and adding them together to see how many different ways you can make the number 10!