A learner represents a contextual problem by assigning objects one-for-one to the quantities involved and arranging them to show joining, separating, or comparing, making the unknown quantity and the corresponding addition or subtraction relationship visible. The objects model quantities rather than merely depict the story, supporting problems with whole numbers within 20; multiplication, division, fractions, and generalized symbolic modeling are not included at this level.
On this page:
- Learn “Represent a problem with objects” with a detailed explanation of the concept
- Master “Represent a problem with objects” with unlimited, free practice problems
- Download (or modify) a free worksheet on Represent a problem with objects you can use at home or in class with practice problems that scaffold and explore “Represent a problem with objects” from different perspectives.
- Start working on adaptive units like “Number Sense - Basics” or “Picture Numbers - Addition and Subtraction” that introduce, teach, or practice “Represent a problem with objects” to maximize your learning.
Detailed Explanation: Represent a problem with objects
Use small objects, such as counters, to show each number in the story. Put one object for each item, then arrange the groups to show what happens.
Example:
There are 7 birds on a fence. Then 5 more birds join them. How many birds are there now?
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Make a group of 7 counters for the birds already on the fence:
● ● ● ● ● ● ●
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Make a second group of 5 counters for the birds that join:
● ● ● ● ●
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Joining means put the groups together:
● ● ● ● ● ● ● + ● ● ● ● ●
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Count all the counters. There are 12.
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Write the addition sentence:
The counters make the joining action clear: 7 birds and 5 more birds make 12 birds altogether.
Learn by doing: Represent a problem with objects
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Practice with unlimited practice problems
Practice:
Picture Numbers - Adding - Picture to Number (Within 20)
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Download/Modify Free Grade 1 'Represent a problem with objects' Worksheet
Print this free 'Represent a problem with objects' worksheet to practice this skill away from the computer. Click 'Modify' to easily customize this worksheet to your exact needs.
This Worksheet Includes:
- Picture Numbers - Adding - Picture to Number (Within 20)
- Picture Numbers - Subtracting - Picture and Instruction to Number (Within 20)
- Picture Numbers - Subtracting - Picture to Equation (Within 20)
- Picture Numbers - Adding - Picture to Equation (Within 20)
- Picture Numbers - Counting - Picture to Number
- Picture Numbers - Counting - Word to Picture
- Picture Numbers - Counting - Number to Picture (Random)
- Picture Numbers - Adding - Picture to Number (Within 10)
Units Teaching This Skill
These adaptive units introduce, teach, or reinforce this skill (Represent a problem with objects) through scaffolded problems that grow in difficulty as concepts are understood.