Hey friends! I hope your week is off to a great start! Mine actually started with a snow day…surprise surprise! 🙂 We are just getting our feet wet with addition this year. However, I wanted to go ahead and do a blast from the past and share with you this post from last year! We are venturing into a new math series this year. I’m not sure how/when all of the skills will be introduced so I wanted to go ahead and share for those of you that are starting addition! I really DO love teaching the kids addition and once they got it…they are truly on their way to first grade! So here is the post and I will update/share new ideas as I go along!
In this post I hope to share all of the ways I teach addition in my classroom. I have worked hard to prepare material that requires students to deepen their thinking and elaborate their answers to meet the Common Core’s expectations. A lot of the material that I use in my classroom to teach addition I have created myself. Simply because I was not able to use textbook material {too easy or not “deep enough”} or find information and activities that were at a Kindergarten level of thinking!
So let’s get started already……

I introduce addition by pulling out our number bracelets again {Again? We also used number bracelets waaaay back when we first introduced number id}. See below for more detailed information on how to make the number bracelets. I give each student a number bracelet. Each number bracelet has a set number of beads with a matching number label {see below}.
You can see this student has the number 3 bracelet. We then find combinations of each number or the “story of” that number {see more for this below}. Along with finding the “story of” each number we also complete number bracelet recording sheets.
These recording sheets have the students draw the beads on each bracelet {not sure why this kiddo hasn’t done that haha!} The student then write the number sentences on the give spaces. These recording sheets are one of my freebies so grab the packet below!
The students in the above picture are manipulating the beads during a Teach! Okay! session with their partner. They might be saying something like this, “2 and 1 is 3” “3 and 0 is 3”
How to Make Number BraceletPipe Cleaner
Plastic Beads
Mailing Labels
Marker
How to Make Number BraceletPipe Cleaner
Plastic Beads
Mailing Labels
Marker
I purchase the pipe cleaners and plastic beads from the Dollar Store. I place the set number of beads on the bracelet, twist the pipe cleaner to make a bracelet, write the set number on the label, lastly place the label over the twisted part of the bracelet. Yes, your fingers will be feeling the pain!
I store each set of bracelets in a Ziploc baggie and then store the baggies inside a plastic shoebox for easy access!
Click below for the Number Bracelets practice sheets freebie! There are two sets of practice sheets. The first version is for number id and the second set is for addition!
Along with the number bracelets and practice sheets we also work on the “story of” each number. This is SO vital in the students true understanding of addition and how 2 numbers make up one number. I make a class set of the “story of” posters and before I fill in the missing numbers the students have to first manipulate the beads on their bracelets to discover the missing number. For example, in the story of 3 the posters states “2 and ___ make 3.” So the students manipulates 2 beads on one side of their bead to discover that “2 and 1 make 3!” See examples below!
Story of 5 Classroom Poster
The above picture shows the student manipulating the beads on their bracelet to complete each story of 4 line.
If you are interested in these sheets see below!
If you are interested in these sheets see below!
Along with number bracelets and “story of”, my students also are introduced to number bonds! Number bonds go hand-in-hand with number bracelets and story of! My kids are working hard to deepen their thinking and understanding of number bonds.
The above image shows the number bond I wrote on the whiteboard our first day working with them! I handed out 5 spoons to all of my students. They worked with their partner to come up with combinations of 5. Students would turn down a portion of the spoons to show the combination.
5 +0 is 5
4 + 1 is 5
2 + 3 is 5
I then called up students to share and explain the answers they got! We also used the spoons as a way to work through our “story of” practice sheet.
We also worked with our number bonds on the Smartboard! These sheets are also found in my number bond practice sheets packet I mentioned above!
I also use the below number bond cards as a discussion starter and in the hallway to review! Click below to view!
With the Common Core Kindergartners should be able to FLUENTLY add within 5! I have found a couple of ways to assess and assure that my students are mastering this standard! The first being flash cards! OH golly you’re saying…flashcards in Kindergarten? Well, the kids actually enjoy them and we have a fun time with it! 🙂 We review the flashcards in the hallway as a review and I also send a set home with students to practice at home. It is SO hard to find Kindergarten flash cards with sums only to 5, but I did find some! Click below to view…if you’re interested!
Along with fluency flash cards I also give my students timed fluency tests! Not sure about you, but I remember loving to take Mad Minutes in school when I was a kid! I give my students one minute to take their timed test. I keep track in my grade book who has/has not passed that give test. After they have passed the level {+0,+1,+2,+3,+4,+5} twice I move them to the next level. If you are interested see the link below!
Along with sums to 10 and fluently adding with 5…students will also need to complete addition word problems! My kids have had a blast working on my addition word problems! If you have not been fortunate to check these out yet click on the freebie below!
{freebie}
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Also find the Common Core Assessments I use in this freebie packet!
Another fun and exciting way to practice addition is with dice in dice!
The student writes the larger dice number in the bigger box and the smaller dice in the smaller box.
The student displayed the numbers with dots.
This practice sheet among others come from this packet I put together! It sells for $2.
In the packet you can have students use Dice in Dice to compare, add, & subtract!
If you are interested in the Dice in Dice I purchased mine {here}
We will also be focusing on addition strategies {number line, counting, on and using our fingers}. We of course want to move our students past adding with their fingers. However, for those kiddos that find addition difficult a differentiated strategy is necessary.
Up first will be introducing counting with fingers! These are going to be a hit I’m sure! I have a made a set for each student! Along with working on these fingers we will also use our interactive Funny Fingers and independent practice with a sheet from my Addition {using fingers} packet!
We are also practicing our counting on and writing skills with these practice sheets!
Now for some awesome interactive videos & games!
Click on the image to view the freebies!
Interactive Fingers
What number is under the shell?
Combinations of 10
Critter Junction: Addition
Addition Sign
Be sure to check on this site that is loaded with freebie addition resources!
Grab this freebie quick and easy addition review sheet below!
Have a great week!
Awesome post with awesome ideas! Thank you so much for sharing.
Jada
Daisy Days for Learning
Thank you for ALL of your wonderful posts! I have become a more effective and engaging teacher because of your resources and posts! Thank you so much for sharing your talent and knowledge!!
I miss Kinder even more after I read one of your posts!
Jennifer
First Grade Blue Skies
I love all of your great interactive ideas for addition! Thanks for sharing 😉
Jessica
Mrs. Plemons' Kindergarten
http://mrsplemonskindergarten.blogspot.com/
Thank you so much for sharing all your wonderful ideas! I always love to read your posts!