Ways to Make 4 and 5

1. Begin the lesson by showing students Jack Hartmann’s video ‘I can show numbers in so many ways.’
2. Show students ways to make 4 and 5 using counters. Have them practice using counters on their own.
3. Show students how to form equations that match what they create with counters. For example, 2 counters plus 2 counters equal 4 counters. (2+2=4) Have them practice forming equations on their own.

Differentiation: Remediate beginning with background knowledge of counting. Have the student count out 5 counters. Flip 2 over to the yellow side. Ask for the values of red and yellow. Record this as an equation. Repeat with differing values.

Extension: Extend the lesson to include other/larger values.

Record anecdotal notes while circulating the room as students create sums of 4 and 5 to assess student learning outcomes informally.