K.3.A

MathKindergartenNumber and operations

The Standard

model the action of joining to represent addition and the action of separating to represent subtraction

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Mathematics

Teacher's field guide

What This Standard Means

What Students Need to Do

Students show what happens when objects are put into a group or taken out of a group. They use objects, pictures, or actions to find the new amount.

What Mastery Looks Like

A student uses counters, drawings, or actions to show objects being added to or removed from a group. The student correctly tells how many there are altogether or how many remain.

Common Misconceptions

Students may recount the starting group instead of finding the new amount. They may also add when objects are taken away, or subtract when more objects join.

How to Assess It

Give each student six counters. Say, “Show 4 counters, add 2 more, then show 5 counters and take away 3,” and ask what each result means.

Lesson moves

Ways to Teach It

  1. Give pairs counters and story cards, then have them build each starting group and physically add or remove the stated amount.

  2. Ask, “Mia has 3 apples and gets 2 more. What happens to her group?” Students draw and explain their thinking.

  3. Play a cube game where students roll, build a group, then draw a card telling them to add or remove cubes.

  4. Set up a pretend snack table where students place crackers on plates, add more for guests, or remove crackers that are eaten.

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