Four Addition Strategies for the Win!

Providing students with ample opportunities to practice different addition strategies will only help them develop in this area of mathematics. This set of task cards focuses on the following addition strategies:

• Jump Strategy
• Break Apart Strategy
• Compensation Strategy
• 100s Chart Strategy

Each task card provides students with an addition equation to solve as well as a visual representation of the addition strategy they must use on each of the task cards. This sets the students up for success by providing them with all the information they will need to be successful.

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding 

A team of dedicated, experienced educators created this resource to support your Maths lessons.

If you have a mixture of above and below-level learners, check out these suggestions for keeping students on track with the concepts: 

🆘 Support Struggling Students

Allow students to use more maths manipulatives to solve each of the addition problems.

➕ Challenge Fast Finishers

Write additional addition equations on the board and invite those students that have finished to decide which is going to be the most suitable addition strategy to use for each of the addition problems.

🛴 Scoot Activity 

Place the cards around the room in numerical order and give each student a recording sheet. Assign students or pairs to a starting point card. Give students time to review the card and record their answers in the corresponding space on their paper. Students will rotate to the next card when you say, “SCOOT!” Continue in this manner until students return to their starting point. 

👋 Exit Ticket 

Use these cards as a formative assessment after your lesson. Pick a random assortment of cards and project them on the board for the whole class to see. Students can record their answers on a sheet of paper, sticky note or notebook. 

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or Google Slides version of this resource. A recording sheet and answer key are also included with this download. 

Print on cardstock for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access. 

To keep the task cards out of pockets or under desks, punch a hole in the corner of each to place them on a binder ring. 

Sustainability Tip: Print a few recording sheets on cardboard and slip them into write-and-wipe sleeves. Students can record their answers with a whiteboard marker, then erase and reuse them.

This resource was created by Lindsey Phillips, a teacher in Michigan and a Teach Starter collaborator.