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Kindergarten Grade  Project 2 weeks

Math Magic: Adding to Five!

Sarah H
Apr 2, 2026
Updated Apr 2, 2026
K.CC.B.4
K.OA.A.1
K.OA.A.2
K.OA.A.5
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Purpose

The purpose of this learning experience is to engage kindergarten students in understanding addition within 5 through hands-on activities that connect numbers to real-world objects. By integrating counting and cardinality, students will develop foundational math skills in a playful and interactive environment. This project aims to foster collaboration, creativity, and confidence in solving addition problems using tangible methods, ensuring alignment with relevant standards.

Learning goals

Students will develop a foundational understanding of addition within 5 using objects, fingers, and drawings. They will connect counting to cardinality by engaging in real-world problem-solving activities. Through interactive experiences, students will enhance their ability to represent and solve addition problems, fostering confidence in their mathematical skills.

Standards
  • [Maine] K.CC.B.4 - Understand the relationship between numbers and quantities; connect counting to cardinality.
  • [Maine] K.OA.A.1 - Represent addition and subtraction with objects, fingers, mental images, drawings sounds (e.g., claps), acting out situations, verbal explanations, expressions, or equations.
  • [Maine] K.OA.A.2 - Solve addition and subtraction word problems, and add and subtract within 10, (e.g., by using objects or drawings to represent the problem).
  • [Maine] K.OA.A.5 - Fluently add and subtract within 5 including zero.

Products

Students will create interactive displays featuring addition problems solved with toys and drawings, inviting hands-on exploration. They will also produce math journals filled with visual representations and reflections on their problem-solving experiences. By the end, students will have crafted banners for the Number Parade showcasing their favorite addition problems, integrating creativity with mathematical understanding.

Launch

Kick off with "Addition Adventure Day," where students participate in a treasure hunt to discover hidden objects around the classroom. These objects become tools for collaboratively creating and solving simple addition problems, fostering an engaging and hands-on exploration of addition within 5. This interactive launch activity encourages teamwork and sets a playful tone for the project-based learning experience.

Exhibition

Arrange a 'Number Parade' where students proudly display banners with their favorite addition problems, solved using toys and drawings. Invite parents, community members, and local partners to join the celebration, offering students a chance to explain their problem-solving strategies. Include interactive stations where visitors can actively engage with the students' solutions, fostering a hands-on exploration of their learning achievements.

Plan
By Phase By Day Calendar
Empathize Define Ideate Prototype Test/Present
Empathize
Students will launch their Addition Adventure by meeting real users, observing how they solve addition within 5 using fingers and toys, and creating an empathy map grounded in direct quotes and observations from at least two people.
Days 1 - 2
🗺️ Addition Adventure Treasure Hunt
Launch 30m
🧠 Empathy Map with Real Solvers
Deliverable 30m
No activities have been added to this phase yet.

Edit Phase

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Define
Students will synthesize what they learned from classmates and adults about solving addition within 5, identify shared needs and challenges, and create a clear, user-centered How Might We statement to guide their interactive Counting Carnival station design.
Days 3 - 4
🧩 Empathy Map Pattern Sort
Deliverable 30m
❓ How Might We Help Visitors Add to 5?
Deliverable 30m
No activities have been added to this phase yet.

Edit Phase

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Ideate
Students will generate many possible ideas for their Counting Carnival station, explore different ways users can solve addition within 5 using fingers and toys, and select top concepts grounded in real user needs to prepare for prototyping.
Days 5 - 6
💡 15 Counting Carnival Ideas
Deliverable 30m
🎯 Top 3 Station Storyboards
Deliverable 30m
No activities have been added to this phase yet.

Edit Phase

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Prototype
Students will build and revise testable versions of their addition-within-5 interactive stations, gather real feedback from peers and adults, and document how user input leads to meaningful improvements before the final Counting Carnival.
Days 7 - 8
🧩 Low-Fidelity Carnival Prototype V1
Deliverable 30m
🔁 User Testing & Prototype V2
Deliverable 30m
No activities have been added to this phase yet.

Edit Phase

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Test/Present
Students will test their refined Counting Carnival stations with new users, make final improvements based on feedback, and present their design journey and addition strategies during the Counting Carnival and Number Parade.
Days 9 - 10
🧪 New User Test & Final Tweaks
Project Work 30m
🎪 Counting Carnival & Number Parade
Assessment 30m
No activities have been added to this phase yet.

Edit Phase

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Empathize Days 1–2
Day 1
🗺️ Addition Adventure Treasure Hunt
Launch 30m
Day 2
🧠 Empathy Map with Real Solvers
Deliverable 30m
Define Days 3–4
Day 3
🧩 Empathy Map Pattern Sort
Deliverable 30m
Day 4
❓ How Might We Help Visitors Add to 5?
Deliverable 30m
Ideate Days 5–6
Day 5
💡 15 Counting Carnival Ideas
Deliverable 30m
Day 6
🎯 Top 3 Station Storyboards
Deliverable 30m
Prototype Days 7–8
Day 7
🧩 Low-Fidelity Carnival Prototype V1
Deliverable 30m
Day 8
🔁 User Testing & Prototype V2
Deliverable 30m
Test/Present Days 9–10
Day 9
🧪 New User Test & Final Tweaks
Project Work 30m
Day 10
🎪 Counting Carnival & Number Parade
Assessment 30m

April 2026

Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
27 Day 1
Empathize
🗺️ Addition Adventure Treasure Hunt
28 Day 2
🧠 Empathy Map with Real Solvers
29 Day 3
Define
🧩 Empathy Map Pattern Sort
30 Day 4
❓ How Might We Help Visitors Add to 5?
1 Day 5
Ideate
💡 15 Counting Carnival Ideas

May 2026

Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
4 Day 6
🎯 Top 3 Station Storyboards
5 Day 7
Prototype
🧩 Low-Fidelity Carnival Prototype V1
6 Day 8
🔁 User Testing & Prototype V2
7 Day 9
Test/Present
🧪 New User Test & Final Tweaks
8 Day 10
🎪 Counting Carnival & Number Parade
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