Lesson Plan | Active Learning | Addition and Subtraction Problems

Assumptions: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class, prior student study with both the Book and the start of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be conducted during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a significant portion of the available time.

Objectives

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The Objectives stage aims to set the learning goals for the lesson, guiding both students and the teacher on what is expected to be achieved by the end of the session. This section also serves to align expectations and ensure that everyone involved is aware of the study focuses and the skills that will be developed.

Main Objectives:

1. Empower students to solve problems involving addition and subtraction of natural numbers, such as calculating the total number of apples harvested by Pedro and Maria.

2. Develop analytical skills in students so they can identify the type of operation needed to solve different types of mathematical problems.

Side Objectives:

1. Encourage collaboration and critical thinking through group activities.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The Introduction of the lesson aims to engage students by recalling problem situations they studied at home, using contexts that can be easily related to daily life. This helps to activate prior knowledge and curiosity, preparing them for hands-on activities in the classroom. The contextualization seeks to demonstrate the relevance of the topic, showing how mathematics is present in various activities of everyday life.

Problem-Based Situations

1. Imagine that Pedro and Maria are in a competition to harvest apples. Pedro harvested 15 apples in the morning and 10 in the afternoon. Maria harvested 12 in the morning and 8 in the afternoon. Who harvested more apples during the day?

2. Let's suppose that a farmer has 75 apples and decides to sell 23 of them. How many apples will he have left after the sale? This situation can be represented by a subtraction.

Contextualization

Addition and subtraction are fundamental mathematical operations that we encounter in many everyday situations, such as counting money, determining quantities in cooking recipes, or even in games. For example, when playing 'Battleship', players need to add or subtract coordinates to hit enemy ships. Understanding and mastering these operations is essential for solving practical problems and developing logical reasoning.

Development

Duration: (70 - 75 minutes)

The Development stage is designed to allow students to practically and interactively apply the knowledge acquired about addition and subtraction. Through playful and contextualized activities, students will have the opportunity to strengthen their mathematical skills while working in teams to solve problems. This hands-on approach aims to solidify learning and ensure that concepts are understood and internalized in a meaningful way.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended to carry out only one of the suggested activities

Activity 1 - The Apple Harvest: A Mathematical Competition

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Develop collaboration and logical reasoning skills in solving addition and subtraction problems, applying prior knowledge in a practical and engaging way.

- Description: In this activity, students will be divided into groups of up to 5 people. Each group will represent a team of apple harvesters. They will receive cards with addition and subtraction problems related to quantities of harvested and sold apples. Each card will have a different situation, such as: 'Pedro harvested 10 apples in the morning and 15 in the afternoon. Maria harvested 12 in the morning and 8 in the afternoon. Who harvested more apples in total?' or 'A farmer had 75 apples and sold 23. How many apples does he have now?'

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Distribute the problem cards to each group.

• Each group must discuss and solve the problems on their cards.

• After solving, each group presents their answers and how they arrived at them.

• Promote a class discussion about the different strategies used to solve the problems.

Activity 2 - The Apple Market: A Buying and Selling Simulation

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Apply addition and subtraction skills in a market context, also developing basic concepts of economics and trade.

- Description: Students, organized into groups, will take on the role of sellers in an apple market. They will receive an initial quantity of apples and have to calculate the total after 'selling' specific amounts, solving subtraction problems. Moreover, they will 'buy' apples from a price list, practicing addition. The activity will be carried out with buying and selling cards and a fictitious apple 'stall'.

- Instructions:

• Organize the classroom into buying and selling stations, with each station representing a type of mathematical operation.

• Divide students into groups and assign each group an initial station.

• Students must calculate the total number of apples after each buying or selling transaction.

• Rotate between the stations so that each group goes through all operations.

• At the end, discuss the different strategies used by the groups and check the answers.

Activity 3 - The Lost Apples Challenge: A Mathematical Treasure Hunt

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Encourage critical thinking and problem-solving in a fun and dynamic way, applying concepts of addition and subtraction in a treasure hunt game context.

- Description: In this playful activity, students will have to solve a series of mathematical puzzles (addition and subtraction) to discover where 'hidden' golden apples are in the classroom. Each correct answer will bring them closer to the treasure. The puzzles will be presented as clues that, when solved, will indicate the next location.

- Instructions:

• Prepare the clues and hide the golden apples in specific points in the classroom.

• Divide students into groups and distribute the first clue.

• Groups must solve the mathematical problems to move on to the next clue and so forth.

• The first group to find all the golden apples wins the challenge.

• Review the answers and discuss the strategies used by the groups.

Feedback

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to consolidate learning, allowing students to reflect on the skills and strategies utilized during the practical activities. The group discussion helps reinforce the understanding of addition and subtraction concepts, as well as promotes the articulation of ideas and collaborative learning. This stage also serves to evaluate student progress and identify any areas that may require further review.

Group Discussion

After completing the activities, gather all students for a group discussion. Start the conversation by recalling the proposed challenges and asking how each group approached the addition and subtraction problems. Ask them to share the strategies that worked best and the ones they found most challenging. Encourage them to explain the reasoning behind the solutions and how they applied prior knowledge in new contexts.

Key Questions

1. What were the most effective strategies you used to solve the addition and subtraction problems during the activities?

2. Was there any problem that initially seemed difficult but you managed to solve? How?

3. How can we apply what we learned today in everyday situations?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The purpose of the Conclusion stage is to consolidate the acquired learning, ensuring that students have clarity about the concepts explored and how they apply in everyday life. By summarizing and discussing the content, this section helps reinforce understanding and the importance of what has been learned, preparing students for future applications of mathematical knowledge in different contexts.

Summary

To conclude, the teacher should summarize the main points covered about addition and subtraction, recalling the strategies and methods discussed and applied by the students during the practical activities. It is important to recap the concepts clearly and succinctly to ensure that all students understand the content covered.

Theory Connection

During the lesson, students were able to connect theory with practice through playful and contextualized activities, such as market games and treasure hunts. These dynamics allowed mathematical concepts to be applied in real situations and in an integrated manner, demonstrating the utility and applicability of addition and subtraction in daily life.

Closing

Finally, it is essential to highlight the importance of the topics studied in everyday life. Addition and subtraction are fundamental skills for the development of logical reasoning and practical problem-solving, as seen in the examples mentioned during the lesson, such as in purchases, event planning, or even in games. Understanding and mastering these mathematical operations is crucial for the academic and personal success of students.