Adding Fun to Kindergarten: A 4-Week Addition to 10 Unit

Addition is one of the first big steps in building strong number sense for young learners—and this 4-week Addition to 10 Unit is designed to make it hands-on, meaningful, and exciting for Kindergarteners. Through exploration, play, and guided practice, students develop the skills and confidence they need to understand addition as “putting together” and “adding more.”

Exploring Addition in Multiple Ways

In this unit, students explore addition within 10 using a variety of strategies to solve problems. They use fingers, number lines, counters, and ten frames to visualize addition, write and solve equations, model addition with real-world objects like toys or classroom items, and solve simple word problems. By experiencing addition in different ways, students learn that adding is something they can see, touch, and explain—not just numbers on a page.

Hands-On Learning and Play

Hands-on, playful practice is at the heart of this unit. Kindergarteners move counters to combine groups, use ten frames to see how “more” works, and solve problems with familiar objects from their classroom or home. Through repeated exploration, they begin to notice patterns, understand relationships between numbers, and develop problem-solving strategies that last.

Collaboration and Communication

Learning is even more powerful when it’s social, so this unit includes interactive math centers, partner games, and guided discussions that encourage collaboration and conversation. Students explain their thinking using numbers, pictures, and words, while visual anchor charts reinforce strategies and vocabulary, helping learners feel confident as they work independently.

Outcomes and Skills Development

By the end of the 4-week unit, Kindergarteners will fluently solve addition problems within 10, explain their thinking clearly, and apply addition to real-world situations. These foundational skills set the stage for future problem-solving, subtraction, and more complex math concepts, all while fostering a love of learning through hands-on exploration.

Assessment and Family Communication

To support both teaching and family involvement, this unit includes pre- and post-assessments to track student growth, as well as parent letters to clearly communicate what students are learning, the strategies they are practicing, and the vocabulary they are using. Families can follow along and support their child’s learning at home, creating strong home–school connections.

Part of a Growing Math Curriculum

And the fun doesn’t stop with just addition! This unit is part of my Growing Mathematicians Kindergarten Math Curriculum, a collection of hands-on, playful units that build skills, confidence, and a love of learning all year long. From counting and comparing numbers to exploring addition, shapes, and measurement, each unit builds on the last, creating a complete, cohesive math curriculum that makes teaching easier and learning more meaningful.