1st Grade Magic of Math Unit 10: Addition & Subtraction

Strengthen students’ understanding of addition and subtraction with 1st Grade Magic of Math Unit 10! This four-week math unit moves from understanding equal signs and balanced equations to solving for unknown numbers and applying place value strategies to two-digit addition and subtraction.

Students use hands-on models, place value strategies, equations, word problems, math games, and meaningful practice to build conceptual understanding and develop efficient problem-solving strategies.

Week 1: Expressions & Equations

Students explore the meaning of the equal sign and learn that both sides of an equation must represent the same value.

Skills practiced include:

• Understanding the meaning of the equal sign
• Determining whether equations are true or false
• Understanding that the equal sign means the same as
• Comparing expressions on both sides of an equation
• Completing balanced equations
• Finding missing numbers that make equations true
• Explaining why an equation is true or false

Week 2: Subtraction, Unknown Numbers & Word Problems

Students deepen their understanding of subtraction as they solve problems with unknown numbers and apply their skills to word problems.

Skills practiced include:

• Solving subtraction problems
• Finding unknown numbers in equations
• Solving equations with the unknown in different positions
• Using the relationship between addition and subtraction
• Using addition to check subtraction
• Solving subtraction word problems
• Representing word problems with equations
• Selecting strategies to solve subtraction problems

Week 3: Two-Digit Addition

Students apply their understanding of place value to solve addition problems involving two-digit numbers.

Skills practiced include:

• Adding a two-digit number and a one-digit number
• Adding a two-digit number and a multiple of 10
• Adding tens and tens
• Adding ones and ones
• Using place value to solve addition problems
• Decomposing numbers into tens and ones
• Composing a new ten when adding
• Using models and strategies to explain addition thinking

Week 4: Two-Digit Subtraction

Students use place value and their understanding of the relationship between addition and subtraction to solve two-digit subtraction problems.

Skills practiced include:

• Subtracting multiples of 10
• Subtracting within the range of 10–90
• Using place value to subtract
• Using tens and ones to represent subtraction
• Applying the relationship between addition and subtraction
• Using addition strategies to support subtraction
• Solving and explaining two-digit subtraction problems

What’s Included

• 20 days of detailed lesson plans
• Teacher mini-lesson materials
• Hands-on math activities
• Math games and partner practice
• Interactive notebook activities
• Word problem practice
• Vocabulary cards
• Student practice pages
• Assessments

This comprehensive unit helps first graders connect their previous understanding of addition, subtraction, and place value to more advanced problem-solving. Students develop strategies for working with equations, unknown numbers, and two-digit addition and subtraction while building a strong foundation for future computation skills.