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Math Within 20 • Lesson Plan
1st Grade 30 Minutes
Why It Matters
Visual strategies help first graders internalize number relationships, support diverse learners, and lay the groundwork for abstract arithmetic by making addition and subtraction concrete and engaging.
Objective
Students will use visual models—number lines, ten-frames, and part–part–whole diagrams—to confidently add and subtract within 20, building strong number sense.
Teacher Preparation
Print/prepare digital copies of Ten-Frame Worksheets and Part-Part-Whole Templates .
Project Number Line Visuals for whole-class display.
Make one Independent Practice Sheet and Exit Ticket per student.
Review objectives and familiarize yourself with each visual tool.
Materials Checklist
Number Line Visuals
Ten-Frame Worksheets
Part-Part-Whole Templates
Practice Problem Sheets
Exit Ticket Worksheets
Instructional Path
5m
Warm-Up: Number Line Exploration
Gather students on the carpet and project the Number Line Visuals. Point to numbers; have students count forward and backward. Ask: "If we start at 6 and move 4 jumps, where do we land?" Invite volunteers to demonstrate jumps.
7m
Main Activity 1: Number Line Addition
Approach: Guided visual modeling with gradual release.
Model 8 + 5 on the board. Students work with partners on two problems, drawing jumps and stating their thinking aloud. Circulate and prompt for correct spacing.
7m
Main Activity 2: Ten-Frame Strategies
Introduce Ten-Frame Worksheets. Demonstrate 7 + 6 by filling one ten-frame and moving to the next. Have students complete problems, counting "how many more to ten?" and "how many left after ten?"
5m
Main Activity 3: Part–Part–Whole
Show the templates. Solve 12 – 5: place 12 in the whole, draw one part of 5, and find the missing part. Discuss how breaking numbers into parts helps calculation.
6m
Independent Practice & Exit Ticket
Students solve mixed problems using their preferred visual strategy. End with the Exit Ticket: one problem, one visual, one answer. Collect to gauge understanding.
Picture This Slides Deck Picture This
Math Within 20
First Grade | 30 Minute Lesson
TEACHER NOTES: Welcome everyone! Today we’re learning how to add and subtract within 20 using pictures and visual tools. Introduce yourself and get students excited about exploring number lines, ten-frames, and part–part–whole diagrams.
Our Goals
1
Use a number line to add within 20.
2
Use ten-frames to add within 20.
3
Use part–part–whole diagrams to add and subtract.
TEACHER NOTES: Read the objectives aloud. Explain that students will practice three different visual methods and then choose their favorite for independent work.
Warm-Up: Number Jumps
05101520
Try this: "Start at 6 . Move 4 jumps . Where do you land?"
Let's practice: Count aloud forward and backward as a class!
TEACHER NOTES: Project the number line and gather students on the carpet. Ask volunteers to jump forward and backward. Prompt them to think aloud as they count.
Activity 1: Number Line Addition
Model Example
8 + 5 = ?
Start at 8
Make 5 jumps forward
Work with a partner on two problems.
Draw your jumps and label each move.
Explain your thinking as you jump!
TEACHER NOTES: Demonstrate one example (8 + 5). Show how each jump adds one. Then pair students to solve two practice problems on mini number lines.
Activity 2: Ten-Frame Power
Example: 7 + 6
1 Fill 3 counters to make 10 .
2 Put the other 3 in the next frame .
! 10 + 3 = 13!
"How many more to ten? How many are left over?"
7 Green + 6 Orange
TEACHER NOTES: Show how filling one ten-frame to ten then moving to the next helps keep track. Ask partners to explain how many more to ten and how many past ten.
Activity 3: Part–Part–Whole
Breaking numbers into parts helps us add and subtract!
12 – 5 = ?
Whole = 12 | Part = 5 | Missing Part = ?
12
5
?
Whole
Part
Part
TEACHER NOTES: Explain the whole, part, and part circles. Model subtraction (12 – 5) then have students complete one addition and one subtraction diagram.
Ten Frame Worksheets Ten-Frame Power
Math Within 20
Name
Date
Practice Template
Use these frames to practice drawing your counters. One frame = 10!
1
7 + 6 =
Draw 7 counters, then add 6 more. How many did you fill?
2
4 + 9 =
Draw 4 counters, then add 9 more. Fill to ten first!
Need more space? Use extra ten-frames on the back!
Part Part Whole Diagrams Worksheet Part-Part-Whole
Math Within 20
Name
Date
Write the total (whole ) in the top circle and the two parts in the bottom circles.
1
8 + 7 =
WHOLE
PART
PART
2
12 – 5 =
12
5
?
3
14 = +
14
4
+ 6 = 14
14
6
Challenge!
Create your own problem and solve it using this diagram.
Need more practice? Draw extra diagrams on the back!
Independent Practice Problem Sheet Practice Power
Math Within 20 • Independent Practice
Name
Date
Instructions
Solve each problem below. Choose your favorite visual strategy to show your work:
Number Line Ten-Frame Part-Part-Whole
9 + 8 = ____ Show Work Below
15 – 7 = ____ Show Work Below
11 + 5 = ____ Show Work Below
14 – 9 = ____ Show Work Below
6 + 13 = ____ Show Work Below
18 – 6 = ____ Show Work Below
Challenge!
Create your own addition or subtraction problem and solve it!
Great work! Which visual strategy was your favorite?
Exit Ticket Worksheet Exit Ticket
Show What You Know
Name
Choose one problem to solve. Circle it!
13 + 4 = ____
16 – 7 = ____
Draw your model here:
Your Drawing Space
Final Answer
Visual strategy used
