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Year 1 - Maths

Interpret and represent addition stories

Additive structures: addition and subtraction

Unit Summary

In this unit pupils will find missing addends in equations. They will partition a whole into 2 parts representing first, then, now stories with subtraction equations. They will learn + and - are inverse operations.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to interpret and represent addition stories that involve increasing an amount in a range of ways using the 'First, then now' structure.

Key Notes

  • In a 'First, then, now' story, the first number is increased to make the whole.
  • When using addition to increase an amount, the number that is increased must always be represented first.
  • This can be represented with practical equipment and as a bar model or a number line.
  • An equation can be written to match these representations.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • First: Before anything else.
  • Then: After something in time.
  • Now: At the present time.
  • Increase: To make something larger/greater in size or quantity.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • In the 'then' part of the story, the change in amount may be hard to identify.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Solve this in steps: explain the method from this lesson and why each step matters.

In a 'First, then, now' story, the first number is increased to make the whole. When using addition to increase an amount, the number that is increased must always be represented first.

2. Use this key word in a maths sentence and explain it clearly. 'First'

Before anything else. Use this word when showing your method, then check your final answer is reasonable.

3. Spot and fix this common maths mistake.

Mistake: In the 'then' part of the story, the change in amount may be hard to identify. Correction: Draw attention to the change, talking about it as a increase in amount.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 1 Maths guide library.