Block Builders Teacher Guide Math Center Guide
Block Builders
First Grade Math
Focus: 2-Digit Addition (No Regrouping)
Center Overview
Welcome to Block Builders ! This hands-on center helps first-grade students visually construct, combine, and solve double-digit addition equations without regrouping. By matching arithmetic expressions to pictorial base-ten blocks and numerical sums, students bridge the gap between concrete models and symbolic math.
Center Prep & Setup
• Print & Cut: Cut out the separate addition cards (orange), block models (blue), and sum cards (yellow).
• Organize: Place cards in 3 color-coded bins or envelopes to make sorting intuitive for 1st graders.
• Materials: Provide dry-erase markers or pencils for the student recording sheet.
How to Play (Student Steps)
Pick an Equation: Grab an Orange Card and write it in Box 1 on the Recording Sheet.Match the Blocks: Find the Blue Card that models that sum using base-ten rods and cubes.Match the Sum: Find the Yellow Card with the final numeric answer.Prove It: Sketch the rods/cubes and write the final sum in Box 1.
Scaffolding & Prompting Questions
To check understanding:
"How many tens do you see in the first addend? Where are those on the model card?"
For students struggling to count:
"Let's count all the tens first by 10s: 10, 20... Now let's count on by ones: 21, 22..."
To prompt mathematical reasoning:
"Why do we always add the ones together and then the tens? What happens if we combine them?"
For extension & challenge:
"Can you design your own addition problem, build it with real blocks, and write the sum?"
Quick-Scan Answer Key
Match #1
24 + 13
2T 4O + 1T 3O
Sum: 37
Match #2
31 + 25
3T 1O + 2T 5O
Sum: 56
Match #3
42 + 15
4T 2O + 1T 5O
Sum: 57
Match #4
16 + 22
1T 6O + 2T 2O
Sum: 38
Match #5
35 + 33
3T 5O + 3T 3O
Sum: 68
Match #6
50 + 17
5T 0O + 1T 7O
Sum: 67
Match #7
14 + 44
1T 4O + 4T 4O
Sum: 58
Match #8
23 + 23
2T 3O + 2T 3O
Sum: 46
Block Builders Task Cards ✂️ CUT ALONG THE DASHED LINES TO SEPARATE CARDS PAGE 1 OF 2 (MATCHES 1-4)
Block Builders Task Cards
Each match needs 1 Equation card (Orange), 1 Model card (Blue), and 1 Sum card (Yellow).
Equation Model Sum
Equation #1
24 + 13
Block Builders Match 1
Model #1
Block Builders Match 1
Sum #1
37
Block Builders Match 1
Equation #2
31 + 25
Block Builders Match 2
Model #2
Block Builders Match 2
Sum #2
56
Block Builders Match 2
Equation #3
42 + 15
Block Builders Match 3
Model #3
Block Builders Match 3
Sum #3
57
Block Builders Match 3
Equation #4
16 + 22
Block Builders Match 4
Model #4
Block Builders Match 4
Sum #4
38
Block Builders Match 4
✂️ CUT ALONG THE DASHED LINES TO SEPARATE CARDS PAGE 2 OF 2 (MATCHES 5-8)
Block Builders Task Cards
Each match needs 1 Equation card (Orange), 1 Model card (Blue), and 1 Sum card (Yellow).
Equation Model Sum
Equation #5
35 + 33
Block Builders Match 5
Model #5
Block Builders Match 5
Sum #5
68
Block Builders Match 5
Equation #6
50 + 17
Block Builders Match 6
Model #6
Block Builders Match 6
Sum #6
67
Block Builders Match 6
Equation #7
14 + 44
Block Builders Match 7
Model #7
Block Builders Match 7
Sum #7
58
Block Builders Match 7
Equation #8
23 + 23
Block Builders Match 8
Model #8
Block Builders Match 8
Sum #8
46
Block Builders Recording Sheet 👷 Builder Name:
📅 Date:
Block Builders Recording Sheet
First Grade Double-Digit Addition (No Regrouping)
💡
Instructions: Pick an orange Equation Card . Write it in a box below. Find the matching blue Model Card and yellow Sum Card . Draw your own tens rods ( ) and ones cubes ( ) to prove your math!
Match #1 Equation:
+ =
Draw base-ten blocks
Match #2 Equation:
+ =
Draw base-ten blocks
Match #3 Equation:
+ =
Draw base-ten blocks
Match #4 Equation:
+ =
Draw base-ten blocks
Match #5 Equation:
+ =
Draw base-ten blocks
Match #6 Equation:
+ =
Draw base-ten blocks
Match #7 Equation:
+ =
Draw base-ten blocks
Match #8 Equation:
+ =
Draw base-ten blocks
Block Builders Math Center I can add 2-digit numbers! 🌟
Block Builders Slides Math Center Launch
First Grade Math
Block Builders
Let's learn how to add big numbers together using visual base-ten rods and cubes!
Get Ready to Build 👷 Slide 1 of 5
Meet the Tools
Our Math Blocks
Tens Rod
This rod is made of 10 small cubes locked together.
Value = 10
Ones Cube
This is a single little cube. It stands by itself.
Value = 1
1 Tens Rod = 10 Ones Cubes Slide 2 of 5
Watch Us Build
Step-by-Step Model
Let's Solve: 23 + 14
We represent each number and then combine them!
23
2 Tens, 3 Ones
14
1 Ten, 4 Ones
Combine them: 3 Tens + 7 Ones = 37
We add Tens with Tens, and Ones with Ones! Slide 3 of 5
Count & Solve
Can You Find the Sum?
How to Solve:
Count the blue tens and orange tens first!
Count the ones.
Combine them to find the sum!
Answer: 32 + 25 = 57 🌟
Count by 10s first, then by 1s! Slide 4 of 5
Center Rules
Block Builders Center
Your Builder Mission 🛠️
Work in your small groups to complete the matching cards!
1. Pick Equation
Grab an Orange Card and write it on your recording sheet.
2. Match Model
Find the matching Blue Card with the visual blocks!
3. Record Sum
Find the Yellow Card with the total and draw the model to prove it!
Remember to help your teammates! Let's get building! 🧱
Be a helpful, kind builder! Slide 5 of 5
Block Builders Math Helper Student Anchor Chart
Block Builders Strategy
How to add two 2-digit numbers step-by-step!
1
Draw Both Numbers!
Draw the tens rods and ones cubes for both numbers side-by-side.
32:
24:
2
Count All the Tens First!
Gather all the long tens rods and count them by 10s .
10
20
30
40
50!
5 Tens = 50
3
Count On by Ones!
Keep counting! Start at 50 , and count the small cubes by 1s .
Start at 50...
51
52
53
54
55
56!
📝
Write Your Answer!
32 + 24 = 56
3 Tens + 2 Tens = 5 Tens 2 Ones + 4 Ones = 6 Ones
Block Builders Math Center Anchor Chart Happy Building! 🌟
