MAFS.K.OA.1.a: Use addition and subtraction within 10 to solve word problems involving both addends unknown, e.g., by using objects, drawings, and equations with symbols for the unknown numbers to represent the problem. (Students are not required to independently read the word problems.)

Cognitive Complexity Level: 1-Recall

[divider] [/divider] Students are able to… 

  • Act out problems with manipulatives to show taking apart or separating.
  • Use part-part-whole mats to show taking apart or separating.
  • Use number bonds to show taking apart or separating.
  • Connect part-part-whole mats or number bonds to representing a take apart or separate problem pictorially.
  • Connect equations to representations of problems.

[divider] [/divider] Students are able to…because teachers:

  • Provide story problem scenarios for students to model taking apart and separating actions.
  • Encourage the use of manipulatives or drawings to model problems.
  • Encourage students to use part-part-whole mats and number bonds for subtraction problems.
  • Ask questions to get students to make connections between equations and representations of problems.

 [divider] [/divider] Questions to ask students:

  • Sample problem:  You have 8 flowers total.  Some are yellow.  Some are pink.  How many yellow and pink flowers could you have?  Use a model to represent the problem.
  • Ask:  How does your model relate to the problem?
    • Sample answer that indicates understanding: There are 8 flowers total.  Some are yellow and some are pink.  My model shows 3 yellow flowers and 5 pink flowers.  
  • Ask: How does the equation relate to the model?  8= 3+5
    • Sample answer that indicates understanding:  The 8 represents the total number of flowers.  The 3 represents the yellow flowers.  The 5 represents the pink flowers.  
  • Ask:  What’s another way you could have 8 flowers?
    • Sample answer that indicates understanding:  8=4+4.  I have 4 yellow flowers.  I have 4 pink flowers.

[divider] [/divider] Additional Resources:

Additional in depth content knowledge

[divider] [/divider] Sample Formative Assessment Tasks:

[divider] [/divider] Resources/Tasks to Support Your Child at Home:

Give your child fruit loops (or other cereal/items with at least 2 different colors/flavors).  Tell them they can have 7 fruit loops.  Some are going to be red.  The rest are going to be purple.  How many red and purple fruit loops could you have?  Encourage them to find all the different ways.