Lesson 16

Addition and Subtraction

Lesson Purpose

The purpose of this lesson is for students to add and subtract decimals. 

Lesson Narrative

In previous lessons students have found sums and differences of decimals using a variety of strategies. They have used place value reasoning, with words or equations, and have seen that the standard addition and subtraction algorithms also work just like they did for whole numbers as long as the same place values in the two numbers are added or subtracted. In this lesson, students add and subtract decimals with no method suggested. Students can use their favorite method or they can think strategically about the given numbers and adapt their strategy. The sums and differences encourage a variety of approaches such as adding on or adding or subtracting by place value. 

The lesson also includes an optional activity where students find differences of more complex numbers and think strategically about which method to use. Whether they choose to use the standard algorithm or a different method using place value understanding, these problems help build fluency working with decimals.

  • Action and Expression

Learning Goals

Teacher Facing

  • Add and subtract decimals to the hundredths using strategies based on place value.

Student Facing

  • Let’s use place value strategies to add and subtract decimals.

Required Preparation

CCSS Standards

Addressing

Lesson Timeline

Warm-up 10 min
Activity 1 15 min
Activity 2 10 min
Activity 3 20 min
Lesson Synthesis 10 min
Cool-down 5 min

Teacher Reflection Questions

What connections did students make between the different strategies shared? What questions did you ask to help make the connections more visible?

Suggested Centers

  • How Close? (1–5), Stage 8: Add Decimals to 1 (Addressing)
  • Jump the Line (2–5), Stage 3: Add and Subtract Tenths, Hundredths, and Thousandths (Addressing)

Print Formatted Materials

Teachers with a valid work email address can click here to register or sign in for free access to Cool Down, Teacher Guide, and PowerPoint materials.

Student Task Statements pdf docx
Lesson Cover Page pdf docx
Cool Down Log In
Teacher Guide Log In
Teacher Presentation Materials pdf docx

Additional Resources

Google Slides Log In
PowerPoint Slides Log In