ALEX Learning Activity Resources

   View Standards     Standard(s): [MA2019] (1) 8 :

8. Solve for the unknown whole number in various positions in an addition or subtraction equation, relating three whole numbers that would make it true.

Example: determining the unknown number that makes the equation true in each of the equations 8 + ? = 11, 5 = ? - 3, and 6 + 6 = ?

[MA2019] (1) 4 :

4. Explain subtraction as an unknown-addend problem.

Example: subtracting 10 - 8 by finding the number that makes 10 when added to 8

[MA2019] (1) 2 :

2. Solve word problems that call for addition of three whole numbers whose sum is less than or equal to 20 by using concrete objects, drawings, or equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.

[MA2019] (1) 1 :

1. Use addition and subtraction to solve word problems within 20 by using concrete objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.

a. Add to with change unknown to solve word problems within 20.

b. Take from with change unknown to solve word problems within 20.

c. Put together/take apart with addend unknown to solve word problems within 20.

d. Compare quantities, with difference unknown, bigger unknown, and smaller unknown while solving word problems within 20.

This learning activity will provide online practice with solving word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, taking apart, and comparing with unknowns in all positions. The students will use strategies they learned to solve the problems presented to them in this engaging online game. This is a helpful tool to measure the students' application of skills.

This activity results from the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [MA2019] (1) 1 :

1. Use addition and subtraction to solve word problems within 20 by using concrete objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.

a. Add to with change unknown to solve word problems within 20.

b. Take from with change unknown to solve word problems within 20.

c. Put together/take apart with addend unknown to solve word problems within 20.

d. Compare quantities, with difference unknown, bigger unknown, and smaller unknown while solving word problems within 20.

[MA2019] (1) 6 :

6. Add and subtract within 20.

a. Demonstrate fluency with addition and subtraction facts with sums or differences to 10 by counting on.

b. Demonstrate fluency with addition and subtraction facts with sums or differences to 10 by making ten.

c. Demonstrate fluency with addition and subtraction facts with sums or differences to 10 by decomposing a number leading to a ten.

Example: 13 - 4 = 13 - 3 - 1 = 10 - 1 = 9

d. Demonstrate fluency with addition and subtraction facts with sums or differences to 10 by using the relationship between addition and subtraction.

Example: Knowing that 8 + 4 = 12, one knows 12 - 8 = 4.

e. Demonstrate fluency with addition and subtraction facts with sums or differences to 10 by creating equivalent but easier or known sums.

Example: adding 6 + 7 by creating the known equivalent 6 + 6 + 1 = 12 + 1 = 13

This learning activity is a teacher-led introduction to solving word problems involving situations of taking from and comparing. The read-aloud and the activity will provide opportunities to review subtraction. Also, it will provide opportunities for a rich discussion about solving story problems. The students will use different strategies including drawings, objects, and equations to learn how to solve story problems. It is helpful to share students' responses to increase understanding of solving story problems.

This activity results from the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [MA2019] (1) 2 :

2. Solve word problems that call for addition of three whole numbers whose sum is less than or equal to 20 by using concrete objects, drawings, or equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.

[MA2019] (1) 8 :

8. Solve for the unknown whole number in various positions in an addition or subtraction equation, relating three whole numbers that would make it true.

Example: determining the unknown number that makes the equation true in each of the equations 8 + ? = 11, 5 = ? - 3, and 6 + 6 = ?

[MA2019] (1) 1 :

1. Use addition and subtraction to solve word problems within 20 by using concrete objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.

a. Add to with change unknown to solve word problems within 20.

b. Take from with change unknown to solve word problems within 20.

c. Put together/take apart with addend unknown to solve word problems within 20.

d. Compare quantities, with difference unknown, bigger unknown, and smaller unknown while solving word problems within 20.

This learning activity will guide students through solving story problems. It will help the students unpack simple word problems with unknowns in all positions.  The students will use different strategies to solve problems. It will encourage the students to make sense of problems. This learning activity will engage the students so that they will feel confident in solving a variety of story problems.

This activity results from the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [MA2019] (1) 1 :

1. Use addition and subtraction to solve word problems within 20 by using concrete objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.

a. Add to with change unknown to solve word problems within 20.

b. Take from with change unknown to solve word problems within 20.

c. Put together/take apart with addend unknown to solve word problems within 20.

d. Compare quantities, with difference unknown, bigger unknown, and smaller unknown while solving word problems within 20.

This learning activity is a great introduction for problem-solving using addition and subtraction to solve word problems within 20.

The video uses relatable objects, a friendly robot guide, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem. It includes the use of addition and subtraction strategies like counting on and how much more.

The video is engaging and offers 4 methods for adding and subtracting in a word problem. Students have the ability to add to or take from, and compare quantities to solve word problems within 20 like fewer or more than.

Students will follow along with the video using small concrete objects and illustrations to represent the word problems from the video. 

This activity was created as a result of the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [MA2019] (1) 1 :

1. Use addition and subtraction to solve word problems within 20 by using concrete objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.

a. Add to with change unknown to solve word problems within 20.

b. Take from with change unknown to solve word problems within 20.

c. Put together/take apart with addend unknown to solve word problems within 20.

d. Compare quantities, with difference unknown, bigger unknown, and smaller unknown while solving word problems within 20.

This learning activity contains 6 formative assessments and 1 summative assessment on using addition and subtraction to solve word problems within 20. In each assessment, students solve for the sum or difference in a word problem.  Students should justify their answers using concrete objects or drawings. 

This activity was created as a result of the ALEX Resource Development Summit.