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Maths

Simple Addition Stories

Overview

Children use stories to understand adding more.

Learning Objective
Children solve simple addition problems using stories.

Resources needed

  • Small objects

Lesson stages

0 / 7 done
  1. 1 Tell a simple story (e.g. 'Sam has 2 stones, Alex gives 1 more').
  2. 2 Ask: 'How many now?'
  3. 3 Use objects to show the story.
  4. 4 Count together.
  5. 5 Repeat with different numbers.
  6. 6 Ask children to create stories.
  7. 7 Discuss answers.

Tap a step to mark it as done.

Variations

  • Use larger numbers
  • Act out stories with children as characters
  • Use drawings to record
More information

Use names and objects from the local context. Children engage more deeply with familiar situations.

Let children act out the story with objects before answering.

Do children count all objects or count on from the larger number? Can they create their own story?

No resources are needed beyond a few small objects to act out the story. Stories can be told and solved verbally with fingers alone.

Children often count all objects from 1 rather than counting on from the larger number. Model counting on explicitly: 'We have 4 — now we add 2 more — 5, 6.' This is a key efficiency to develop.

Activity details
Early Years Medium 15–20 minutes No prep Small Group, Whole Class Indoor & Outdoor
Topics
Addition