Garden Quest Slides Garden Math Quest
Solving Addition and Subtraction Word Problems with Visual Tools and Smart Counting
Grades K-2
Math Expedition
Our Mission
1
Use Visual Organizers to see the story.
2
Apply Counting On and Counting Back .
3
Use the Making a Ten strategy to solve quickly.
Part-Part-Whole Mat
We use this when we know pieces of a story and want to find the total!
WHOLE (Total)
PART 1
PART 2
"Leo has 8 seeds. Mia gives him 4 more. How many seeds does he have now?"
Bar Models
Bar models help us compare numbers or see the total as a long bar.
Part (8)
Part (4)
Whole (?)
Great for seeing the relationship between numbers!
Strategy: Counting On
Start with the bigger number and "hop" forward for addition.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
8 + 4 = 12
"8... 9, 10, 11, 12!"
Strategy: Making a Ten
Ten is a "friendly" number. We can borrow from one part to make the other a ten!
8 + 5 = ?
8 + 2
Makes 10
3
Left over
10 + 3 = 13
Why use it?
Mental math is faster
Works for big numbers
Reduces counting errors
Counting Back (Subtraction)
"There were 14 bees. 6 flew away. How many are left?"
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
14 - 6 = 8
"14... 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8!"
Ready to Dig In?
Time to use your Part-Part-Whole mats and Counting strategies on your Garden Plot Practice worksheet!
Circle numbers
Draw model
Count and solve
Garden Growth Teacher Guide Garden Growth Guide
Teacher Facilitation Notes
Grade Level: K-2
Subject: Operations & Algebraic Thinking
Learning Objectives
Students will represent addition and subtraction word problems using Part-Part-Whole mats and Bar Models.
Students will apply Counting On and Counting Back strategies using a number line.
Students will identify opportunities to use the Making a Ten strategy for efficient solving.
Standards
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.OA.A.1: Use addition and subtraction within 20 to solve word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing.
Materials Needed
• Garden Quest Slides
• Garden Plot Practice Worksheet
• Physical Part-Part-Whole Mats (optional)
• Counting cubes or seeds
Lesson Roadmap
10 min
Warm-up: The Number Garden
Display the Title Slide. Ask students what they might find in a garden. Use "I Have, Who Has" mental math cards (within 10) to get brains moving. Introduce the goal: becoming "Garden Math Experts."
15 min
Visual Modeling (Slides 3-4)
Scripting Prompt: "When we hear a story, our first job is to see the pieces. If I have 5 red flowers and 3 yellow flowers, what are my 'parts'? What is my 'whole'?"
Model drawing the Bar Model on the board. Emphasize that the "Whole" bar is the same length as the two "Part" bars combined.
15 min
Smart Counting (Slides 5-7)
Counting On: Remind students to always lock the bigger number in their head first.Making a Ten: Use the visual of "moving a seed" from one group to another to reach ten. Practice 9+3 (Move 1 to the 9 to make 10, now it's 10+2).Counting Back: Use physical movement. Have students take "hops" backward across the classroom floor.
20 min
Independent Exploration
Hand out the Garden Plot Practice Worksheet . Circulate and check for: 1) Correct placement in the organizer, 2) Starting at the correct number on the line.
Scaffolding & Extension
Support (K/1st)
Provide counters to place directly on the Part-Part-Whole mat. Limit numbers to within 10. Read the word problems aloud.
Extend (2nd)
Introduce "Missing Part" problems (e.g., "There are 15 flowers. 8 are red. How many are yellow?"). Ask them to write their own garden story.
Garden Plot Worksheet Garden Plot Practice
Solve the story problems using your garden tools!
Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
Circle the numbers, draw a model, and solve!
Problem 1
Sami planted 9 sunflower seeds. Then she planted 5 more seeds. How many seeds did she plant in all?
Part-Part-Whole Mat
Whole
Part
Part
Number Line (0-15)
051015
Answer: _________ seeds
Problem 2
There were 12 butterflies resting on a leaf. 4 of them flew away. How many are left?
Bar Model
Part
Part
Whole
Number Line Strategy
051015
Answer: _________
Problem 3
Leo found 7 red stones and 8 blue stones in the garden. How many stones in all?
Part-Part-Whole Mat
Whole
Part
Part
Number Line (0-20)
05101520
Answer: _________ stones
Problem 4
There were 15 peas in a pod. A bird ate 6 of them. How many are left?
Bar Model
Part
Part
Whole
Number Line Strategy
051015
Answer: _________ peas
Garden Challenge (Problem 5)
"I have 8 ladybugs. My friend gives me some more. Now I have 15 ladybugs. How many did my friend give me?"
Challenge Number Line (0-20)
05101520
Answer: _________
Garden Plot Answer Key Answer Key
Garden Plot Practice • Teacher Reference
Teacher Version
1 Addition
14 Seeds
Sami planted 9 sunflower seeds. Then she planted 5 more seeds.
Visual Model
WHOLE: 14
9
5
Strategy
9 + 1 = 10
2 Subtraction
8 Butterflies
12 butterflies resting on a leaf. 4 of them flew away.
Visual Model
8 (Left)
4
Total: 12
Strategy
12 ... 11, 10, 9, 8
3 Addition
15 Stones
Leo found 7 red stones and 8 blue stones.
Visual Model
WHOLE: 15
7
8
Strategy
8 + 2 = 10
4 Subtraction
9 Peas
15 peas in a pod. A bird ate 6 of them.
Visual Model
9 (Left)
6
Total: 15
Strategy
15 ... 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9
Problem 5 (Challenge) Answer
"8 ladybugs + ? = 15 ladybugs"
Explanation
Students find the missing part by counting on from 8 to 15 (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15).
7
Ladybugs
