Addition (Introduction)
Addition (Introduction)
Primary 1 · Mathematics · First Term · Week 7
By the end of this lesson, pupils should be able to:
- Explain addition as “putting things together”
- Recognize the plus sign (+) and equals sign (=)
- Add two single-digit numbers with a total of 5 or less
- Solve simple word problems involving addition up to 5
What Addition Means
Addition is what happens when we bring two or more groups together to find out the total — “how many altogether?” We use words like add, plus, combine, and altogether to signal it.
Make it concrete before making it abstract: “You have 2 pencils in your hand. I give you 1 more. If you put them together, how many pencils do you have now?”
Reading the Signs
The plus sign (+) tells us to combine two amounts — it looks like a small cross. The equals sign (=) means “is the same as” — it shows that what’s on the left of it has the same value as what’s on the right.
Example: 2 + 1 = 3. Two, combined with one more, gives us three.
Adding Within 5
Start small and use fingers or physical counters. The strategy is: start with the first number, then count on the second.
- 2 + 1: “Two… then count on one more: three.” So 2 + 1 = 3.
- 3 + 2: “Three… count on two more: four, five.” So 3 + 2 = 5.
Addition in Word Problems
A word problem tells a short story with hidden numbers inside it — the job is to find the numbers and add them. Watch for words like “more” or “altogether,” which usually signal addition.
Example: “Kemi has 2 sweets. Her brother gives her 2 more. How many sweets does Kemi have now?” Find the numbers (2 and 2), notice the word “more,” and solve: 2 + 2 = 4.
Evaluation
- In your own words, what does addition mean?
- Draw the plus sign and the equals sign.
- What is 1 + 1?
- Calculate 2 + 2.
- “I have 3 oranges and find 1 more on the table. How many altogether?”
Assignment
- Solve: 2 + 1 = ?
- Solve: 3 + 2 = ?
- Draw 2 apples, then draw 2 more next to them. Write the addition sentence and the total.