🔢 MathLevel 1Lesson 9
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Adding Small Numbers

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Learning Objectives

  • 1Add two small numbers by counting on from the larger number
  • 2Use the number line to show addition as hops forward
  • 3Write a correct addition sentence using +, =, and the sum
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Mini Lesson

Adding means putting two groups together to find out how many there are in total. We can show this with hops on a number line!

What the symbols mean

  • + means "add" or "put together"
  • = means "equals" or "is the same as"
  • Example: 4 + 3 = 7 means "4 and 3 put together make 7"

Counting on from the bigger number

  • Start at the bigger number — don't count from 1 every time!
  • Example: 6 + 3 → start at 6, then count on 3: 7, 8, 9.
  • This is faster and works for any addition.

Using the number line

  • Put your finger on the first number.
  • Hop forward one space for each number you are adding.
  • Where you land is the answer.

Adding zero

  • Adding zero never changes a number: 5 + 0 = 5.
  • Zero hops on the number line means you stay where you are.
Number line showing 4 plus 3 equals 7 with three hop arcsA number line from 0 to 10. A dot sits on 4, then three orange arcs hop forward one space each, landing on 5, 6, and finally 7 which is circled in green.4 + 3 = ?012345678910start+1+1+1land!4 + 3 = 7 ✅Start at 4, hop forward 3 times.Where you land = the answer!
Number line showing 4 + 3 = 7 — start at 4 (blue dot), hop forward three times (orange arcs), land on 7 (green circle).
Addition sentence anatomy and count-on strategyThe addition sentence 6 plus 3 equals 9 with each part labeled: addend, plus sign, addend, equals sign, sum. Below, the count-on strategy shows starting at 6 and counting 7, 8, 9.Addition Sentence6+3=9addendplusaddendequalssumCount-on strategy for 6 + 3Start at 6(bigger number)→Count on 37 … 8 … 9→Answer!9Order doesn't matter:6 + 3 = 9 and 3 + 6 = 9 — same answer!
Addition sentence anatomy (addend + addend = sum) and the three-step count-on strategy.
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Ask yourself: "Which is the bigger number? Start there and count on!"

Vocabulary
Addend
A number being added in an addition sentencee.g. In 4 + 3 = 7, both 4 and 3 are addends
Sum
The answer to an addition sentencee.g. In 4 + 3 = 7, the sum is 7
Count on
Start at the bigger number and count forward by the smallere.g. 6 + 3 → 7, 8, 9
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← Lesson 8: Number PatternsLesson 10: Subtracting Small Numbers →