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Kindergarten Lesson Plans

Lesson Plan

How Big is Your Tower?

Let’s build! Students will explore subtraction and patterns of one less in this hands-on lesson. Get out the snap cubes and dive in.
Need extra help for EL students? Try the One Less pre-lesson.
Grade:
Kindergarten
View aligned standards
K.OA.A.1
Need extra help for EL students? Try the One Less pre-lesson.

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to compare towers to explain patterns of one less.

Introduction

(5 minutes)
  • Show students a tower of five snap cubes.
  • Ask, “How many cubes do I have in my tower?”
  • Count aloud with students.
  • Now ask, “How many cubes would I have if I had one less?”
  • Have students share a few answers, then take away one cube.
  • Count how many cubes are left.

Beginning

  • Allow students to count aloud in their home language (L1).
  • Have students turn and talk to share their ideas with a partner.

Intermediate

  • Provide the sentence frame, "I think there will be ________ cubes left."