First grade is a crucial point in a student’s mathematical journey. This is when they are developing those foundational skills that they will carry with them throughout grade levels. Our first-graders must know how to add numbers but also explain how they found their answers. To fully understand the concept of addition, our students need to have built their foundation of understanding numbers.
After they have developed those foundational skills, we can give them solid strategies to practice addition skills. Remember, when it comes to teaching strategies to your first-graders, the ultimate goal is to have our students gain the skills to compute math mentally. So, if you are looking for hands-on and interactive ways to teach your first-graders, then you’ve come to the right place.
Zero Facts
I know it sounds silly that I am mentioning this one, but your students must understand that zero added to a number doesn’t change it. This strategy is almost a check-off-the-box strategy. Make sure they know it and move on.
Ten Frames
Ten frames are another excellent tool in teaching addition to first-graders. Ten frames are another way to help students visually add numbers. I like using two separate ten frames with counters and having students practice addition problems—a great way to give students independent practice. Ten frames give students a hands-on approach to working with numbers. Within ten frames, you can teach your students about doubles, doubles+1, and make a ten.
Counting On
Counting on is a pretty simple concept, but it’s a crucial one for mental math. For instance, 4+6, tell your students to put 4 in their head and count up. You can use this with a number line for a visual component.
Turn Around Facts
Our first-graders must understand that flipping the addends doesn’t change the sum when it comes to addition. A great way to teach this concept is with counters, dominos, and worksheets. Once students grasp this concept, they can continue to move forward with more complex addition problems.
Manipulatives
Can you teach first-grade without manipulatives? The answer is no! Using manipulatives in the first-grade classroom is one of the most critical aspects of teaching addition. Use, counters, bears, buttons, beads, erasers, or anything else hanging out in the cabinet full of a ton of stuff.
Manipulatives help students explore using a hands-on learning method, and they can visually see the items to assist them in understanding mathematical concepts. And, students learn better when they are engaged with the material, and manipulatives increase engagement.
First-graders often struggle with understanding that they can combine two separate numbers to make a larger quantity. Counting with manipulatives is the perfect way to teach first-graders to add numbers together.
I love using manipulatives in my classroom because it’s a tangible way to understand mathematical concepts. While manipulatives aren’t a traditional strategy, they are an essential tool needed in many strategies.
The Extras
Again, these last two aren’t official mathematical strategies, but they are used to teach addition in my classroom. Most importantly, using games. Anything in game form is a win with my first-graders. I love using games because it allows my students to practice, work with partners, and apply their knowledge.
Lastly, I love using digital resources for all different avenues like independent work, early finisher activities, and homework. We accumulated a ton of resources from distance learning, so why not utilize them? Digital resources are just another hands-on way to apply and practice with addition.
Another tool that I have learned throughout the years is to make an anchor chart of the various methods that your students learn best from and hang it up where everyone can see it. Anchor charts are lifesavers and they are a vital tool for our young learners.
There are many strategies in teaching addition, but it’s important to remember that we do not want our students to memorize these concepts. We want them to know and understand the strategies so they can successfully use and apply them. I have found a ton of value in teaching these strategies during small groups. While we review and practice whole group, I have found it way more beneficial to teach these strategies to a smaller group of students. What is your favorite strategy to teach addition?
