Lesson Plan: Counting On 

Objective: Students will learn the concept of counting on and practice using this strategy to solve addition problems.

Common Core Standards

  • CCSS.Math.Content.K.CC.A.2 - Count forward beginning from a given number within the known sequence (instead of having to begin at 1).

  • CCSS.Math.Content.K.CC.B.4.c - Understand that each successive number name refers to a quantity that is one larger.

  • CCSS.Math.Content.K.CC.B.5 - Count to answer "how many?" questions about as many as 20 things arranged in a line, a rectangular array, or a circle, or as many as 10 things in a scattered configuration; given a number from 1-20, count out that many objects.
     

1. Warmup Activity

Play the "Counting On" video from Media4Math.com: https://www.media4math.com/library/39228/asset-preview

This video introduces the counting on strategy and provides visual examples to reinforce the concept, supporting MP1 and 1.OA.C.6 by helping students make sense of addition problems within 20.After watching the video, discuss counting on with students and have them share their understanding.

After watching the video, discuss counting on with students and have them share their understanding.

2. Introduction

Explain that counting on is a strategy where we start with the larger addend and then count forward the value of the smaller addend. Demonstrate examples on the board or using a digital whiteboard. You can also refer to this collection of math examples on continuous counting: https://www.media4math.com/MathExamplesCollection--ContinuousCounting.

This introduction aligns with MP8 and 2.NBT.B.5 by helping students look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning when counting on to add within 100.

3. Review

Use the "Counting On Review" activity from Media4Math.com: https://www.media4math.com/library/39244/asset-preview

This interactive activity provides practice opportunities for students to solve addition problems using the counting on strategy, supporting MP1, 1.OA.C.6, and 2.NBT.B.5 by allowing them to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. 

Encourage students to work through the activity individually or in pairs, providing guidance and support as needed. Discuss any misconceptions or challenges that arise.

4. Assessment or Quiz

Use the "Counting On" worksheets from Media4Math.com: https://www.media4math.com/MathWorksheetsCollection--Counting These worksheets include a variety of addition problems that can be solved using the counting on strategy, aligning with MP1, 1.OA.C.6, and 2.NBT.B.5 by requiring students to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. 

Students can complete the worksheets independently or as a group activity, depending on their level of understanding.

Encourage students to show their work and explain their thought process when using the counting on strategy, supporting MP8 by looking for and expressing regularity in repeated reasoning.

Closure: Conclude the lesson by reinforcing the importance of counting on as an efficient strategy for solving addition problems, especially when one of the addends is a larger number. Encourage students to continue practicing and applying this strategy in their future math work, aligning with the content and practice standards covered in this lesson.

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