Addition is an essential concept in mathematics that students need to master. At the early stage, students need to learn how to add two numbers with a sum of 20 or less. Teachers, therefore, need to come up with engaging activities that can help students to understand and complete addition sentences. With the right approach, students can easily understand addition concepts and become fluent in solving addition problems. In this article, we will discuss various activities teachers can use to help students complete addition sentences that sum up to 20.

1. Number Bonds

Number bonds are an effective way of teaching students how to add. The concept of number bonds uses a visual representation of the number sentence. For example, to teach addition to 20, the teacher can draw a circle with the number 20 in the middle, and then split it up into two parts. Students can then write the two parts that make up the numbers that add up to 20. For example, they can fill in the blank spaces in the statement below:

20 = __ + __

This activity is not only engaging but also helps students to understand that numbers can be broken down into parts.

2. Addition Bingo

Addition bingo is a fun activity that helps students to practice addition. In this activity, the teacher creates bingo cards with numbers from 1 to 20. The teacher then calls out an addition equation. For example, the teacher can say, “9 + 5.” The students then look for the sum of the numbers on their bingo card. If they have the sum on their bingo card, they can cover it with a counter. The first student to cover all the numbers on their bingo card wins.

3. Addition Race

The Addition Race is an activity that involves two students. A set of cards with numbers from 1 to 20 are placed in a pile face down. Each student picks up a card and adds the two numbers before passing it to their opponent. The student with the fastest time to complete the addition sentence wins. This activity is a great way to encourage friendly competition in the classroom.

4. Addition Stories

Addition stories are a fun and engaging way to teach addition equations. The teacher can read a story about adding or create one. For example, the teacher can say, “Mandy has five apples, and her brother gave her seven more. How many apples does Mandy have now?” Students can then use number blocks to add the numbers and find the sum. This activity not only helps students to practice addition but also improves their literacy skills.

5. Addition War

Addition War is a game that is similar to the card game War. Two students draw cards with numbers from 1 to 20. They then add the two numbers on their cards, and the student with the highest sum wins the cards. This game is an exciting and competitive way to teach addition.

In conclusion, these are some fun and engaging activities that can help students to complete addition sentences that sum up to 20. By using a variety of approaches, teachers can create an exciting learning environment that encourages students to understand and enjoy mathematics. These activities help students to practice addition and improve their math skills while having fun in the process.