Addition & Subtraction Stories

Overview

In this activity, students create and solve real-world story problems involving addition and subtraction within 100. They will learn to identify key information in word problems, choose appropriate operations, and represent their thinking using pictures, numbers, and words.

Students will work with concrete manipulatives and visual representations to build understanding of addition and subtraction concepts. They'll create their own story problems based on classroom situations and personal experiences, developing both mathematical reasoning and communication skills.

Learning Objectives

• Solve addition and subtraction word problems within 100
• Identify key information and unknown quantities in story problems
• Choose appropriate operations (addition or subtraction) to solve problems
• Represent mathematical thinking using pictures, manipulatives, and equations
• Create original story problems based on real-world situations
• Explain problem-solving strategies and reasoning to others
• Check answers for reasonableness in context of the story

Materials

• Base-10 blocks (ones, tens)
• Two-color counters
• Number lines (0-100)
• Story problem cards with various scenarios
• Student problem-solving recording sheets
• Chart paper for creating class story problems
• Markers and colored pencils
• Small whiteboards and dry erase markers
• Real objects for story contexts (toy cars, books, crayons)
• Digital timer

Preparation

1. Prepare story problem cards with age-appropriate scenarios
2. Set up manipulative stations with base-10 blocks and counters
3. Create anchor charts showing problem-solving strategies
4. Print student recording sheets for individual work
5. Gather real objects that can be used in story contexts
6. Prepare example story problems for modeling
7. Set up chart paper for collaborative problem creation

Steps

1. Introduction and Modeling (8 minutes):
   • Present a simple story problem: "There were 23 birds in a tree. 15 more birds came to join them. How many birds are in the tree now?"
   • Think aloud while identifying key information: starting amount, change, unknown
   • Model using manipulatives to represent the problem
   • Demonstrate writing an equation: 23 + 15 = ?
   • Solve together and check if the answer makes sense in the story
2. Guided Practice (7 minutes):
   • Present a subtraction story: "Maria had 45 stickers. She gave 18 stickers to her friends. How many stickers does Maria have left?"
   • Have students identify what they know and what they need to find
   • Students work in pairs to solve using manipulatives
   • Share different solution strategies as a class
   • Emphasize checking answers in context of the story
3. Independent Problem Solving (10 minutes):
   • Students choose from 3-4 story problem cards at different difficulty levels
   • Each student solves 2 problems using their recording sheet
   • Encourage use of pictures, manipulatives, and number lines
   • Students must show their work and write the equation
   • Teacher circulates to provide support and observe strategies
4. Story Creation Activity (5 minutes):
   • Students create their own story problem using classroom objects or experiences
   • Provide sentence frames: "There were ___ [objects]. Then ___ [action]. How many ___ are there now?"
   • Students write their problem and solve it
   • Partners exchange problems and solve each other's stories
   • Share creative problems with the whole class

Differentiation

Assessment

Observe students during the activity and look for:

• Ability to identify key information in word problems
• Appropriate choice of operation (addition or subtraction)
• Accurate use of manipulatives to represent problems
• Clear mathematical communication and reasoning
• Correct computation within 100
• Checking answers for reasonableness
• Creativity and accuracy in creating original story problems

Collect student recording sheets to assess problem-solving strategies and identify areas for additional support. Use exit tickets asking students to explain their favorite problem-solving strategy.