Addition and Subtraction of Whole Numbers | Primary 1 Mathematics Lesson

Addition and Subtraction of Whole Numbers | Primary 1 Mathematics Lesson

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Addition and Subtraction of Whole Numbers – Primary 1 Maths Lesson (Week 10)

Mathematics – Primary 1 Second Term Lesson Note (Week 10)

Topic: Addition and Subtraction of Whole Numbers

Subject: Mathematics

Class: Primary 1

Term: Second Term

Week: 10

Age: 5–6 years

Duration: 40 minutes

Sub-topic: Solving Addition and Subtraction Problems within Whole Numbers

Behavioural Objectives

By the end of this lesson, pupils should be able to:

  1. Define addition and subtraction.
  2. Add and subtract whole numbers correctly.
  3. Identify and use the plus (+) and minus (–) signs.
  4. Solve simple addition and subtraction problems with or without objects.
  5. Relate addition and subtraction to real-life classroom examples.

Keywords and Meanings

Keyword Meaning
1. Addition Putting numbers or objects together.
2. Subtraction Taking away from a group.
3. Plus (+) The sign used for addition.
4. Minus (–) The sign used for subtraction.
5. Sum The total after adding.
6. Difference The result after subtraction.
7. Whole Numbers Counting numbers starting from 1.
8. Count To say numbers one after the other.
9. Equal (=) Shows that both sides are the same.
10. Remove To take away from a group.

Set Induction (Story for Engagement)

The teacher begins with a short story:

“Children, listen carefully! One bright morning, Mama Nkechi went to the market. She bought 3 oranges and her friend Chika gave her 2 more. How many oranges did Mama Nkechi have in total? (Pause for response). Now, as she walked home, a little boy begged for one orange, and she gave him one. How many did she have left?”

Allow pupils to respond and connect the story to addition (putting together) and subtraction (taking away).
This story helps children visualize numbers in real-life actions.

Entry Behaviour

Pupils can already count and identify whole numbers under tens and units from the previous lesson. They can also group objects into tens and units using sticks or bottle tops.

Learning Resources and Materials

  • Counting sticks
  • Flashcards with +, –, and = signs
  • Abacus
  • Real-life objects (stones, bottle caps, pencils)
  • Number chart (1–100)
  • Whiteboard and marker

Building Background / Connection to Prior Knowledge

Remind pupils that in the last class, they learned whole numbers under tens and units. Explain that addition and subtraction help us know how numbers grow or reduce.

Embedded Core Skills

  • Numeracy Skills – recognizing, adding, and subtracting numbers.
  • Critical Thinking – solving problems in multiple ways.
  • Communication Skills – expressing numerical ideas aloud.
  • Social Skills – teamwork during group counting activities.

Learning Materials

  • Lagos State Unified Scheme of Work
  • Lagos State Ministry of Education Mathematics Curriculum
  • Basic Mathematics for Primary Schools (UBE)

Reference Books

  1. Lagos State Scheme of Work (Primary 1, Mathematics)
  2. New Method Primary Mathematics Book 1
  3. Basic Mathematics by NERDC

CONTENT

Meaning and Explanation

1. Addition:
Addition means putting together two or more numbers or objects to get a total.
We use the plus sign (+).
Example:

  • 2 + 3 = 5
  • 1 + 1 = 2
  • 4 + 2 = 6

2. Subtraction:
Subtraction means taking away some numbers or objects from a group.
We use the minus sign (–).
Example:

  • 5 – 2 = 3
  • 4 – 1 = 3
  • 7 – 3 = 4

Examples of Addition

  1. 2 + 2 = 4
  2. 3 + 1 = 4
  3. 5 + 2 = 7
  4. 6 + 4 = 10
  5. 7 + 3 = 10

Examples of Subtraction

  1. 4 – 2 = 2
  2. 6 – 3 = 3
  3. 8 – 4 = 4
  4. 10 – 5 = 5
  5. 9 – 2 = 7

PRESENTATION

Teacher’s Activities

  1. Revise previous topic on whole numbers under tens and units.
  2. Introduce the new topic: Addition and Subtraction of Whole Numbers.
  3. Explain the meaning of addition and subtraction using real-life examples (like sweets, pencils, or oranges).
  4. Demonstrate addition and subtraction using counting sticks and bottle tops.
  5. Write sample equations on the board and solve them with the class.
  6. Guide pupils to attempt similar examples individually.
  7. Correct errors gently and praise correct answers.

Learners’ Activities

  1. Listen attentively and participate in the story and examples.
  2. Use objects to add and subtract.
  3. Read and solve the exercises aloud.
  4. Ask questions where they don’t understand.
  5. Write answers neatly in their notebooks.

Class Activity Discussion (FAQs with Answers)

Question Answer
1. What is addition? Putting numbers together.
2. What is subtraction? Taking away numbers.
3. What sign shows addition? Plus (+).
4. What sign shows subtraction? Minus (–).
5. What is the answer to 2 + 3? 5
6. What is the answer to 5 – 2? 3
7. What does “equal to” mean? It shows that both sides are the same.
8. Can we add numbers using fingers? Yes.
9. Can we subtract with bottle tops? Yes.
10. Why do we learn addition and subtraction? To solve daily life counting problems.

EVALUATION QUESTIONS

A. Objective (Choose the correct answer)

  1. 2 + 3 = ____
    (a) 4 (b) 5 (c) 3 (d) 2
  2. 6 – 2 = ____
    (a) 4 (b) 5 (c) 3 (d) 2
  3. The sign for addition is ____
    (a) – (b) + (c) = (d) ×
  4. 3 + 1 = ____
    (a) 5 (b) 3 (c) 4 (d) 2
  5. 4 – 1 = ____
    (a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) 1
  6. Which operation means taking away?
    (a) Subtraction (b) Addition (c) Counting (d) Division
  7. The total after adding numbers is called ____
    (a) Difference (b) Sum (c) Product (d) Quotient
  8. The symbol “–” means ____
    (a) Plus (b) Minus (c) Multiply (d) Equal
  9. 8 – 4 = ____
    (a) 3 (b) 2 (c) 4 (d) 5
  10. 1 + 6 = ____
    (a) 6 (b) 5 (c) 7 (d) 8

B. Short Answer Questions

  1. Define addition.
  2. Define subtraction.
  3. What is the sign for addition?
  4. What is the sign for subtraction?
  5. What is the meaning of “sum”?
  6. What is the meaning of “difference”?
  7. Solve: 5 + 3 = ____
  8. Solve: 6 – 4 = ____
  9. Add: 7 + 2 = ____
  10. Subtract: 8 – 5 = ____

Assessment

Teacher checks and marks pupils’ work, provides corrections, and commends neatness and accuracy.

Conclusion

The teacher summarizes:

“Addition means putting together. Subtraction means taking away. We use them every day — in sharing, counting, and solving problems.”

Pupils repeat examples and complete the board exercises.

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