4TH

GRAD

Unit #2

Addition and Subtraction Algorithms

Approximate Time Frame: 810 days

Focus of the Unit:

Students will use their understanding of place value to add and subtract using the common algorithm.
Students should be able to express their understanding of how and why the standard algorithm is used
to solve multi-digit addition and subtraction problems. They should work toward fluency using the
standard algorithm. By the end of the unit they should be proficient in solving word problems involving
multiple operations, focusing on addition, subtraction, and estimation.
Connections to Previous Learning:
In Unit 1, students studied foundations of place value, including the value of digits in particular places
and how to round numbers to any place up to the millions place. In previous grades they learned how to
fluently add and subtract within 1000 using strategies and algorithms based on place value, properties of
operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction. Students have learned how to
bundle 10 units to make ten, 10 tens to make 100, and etc. They have also learned how to decompose
numbers based on place value. They will now apply these strategies to the addition and subtraction of
larger numbers, including word problems involving multiple operations.
Where the Learning Goes Next:
During many units of study throughout the year, students will continue to build proficiency solving word
problems involving multiple operations. Thus they will be required to employ learning from this unit in
many subsequent units as they apply the common strategies and algorithms based on place value,
properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction to solve word
problems. They will also continue to develop the ability to determine which operations to employ to solve
particular word problems.
Content Standards Addressed in this Unit:
Practice Standards to be Emphasized in this
4.NBT.B.4, 4.OA.A.3
Unit:
MP1: Make sense of problems and persevere in
solving them.
MP2: Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
MP3: Construct viable arguments and critique the
reasoning of others.
MP4: Model with mathematics.
MP6: Attend to precision.
MP7: Look for and make use of structure.

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Enduring Understandings:
Numbers can be represented using objects, words and symbols.
For any number, the place of a digit tells how many ones, tens, hundreds, and do forth are
represented by that digit.
Sets of ten, one hundred, and so forth must be perceived as single entities when interpreting
numbers using place value.
Numbers can be named in equivalent ways using place value.
You can add the value of the digits together to get the value of a number.
Part-part-whole relationships exist within both addition and subtraction and because of these
relationships, when one quantity is unknown, known quantities can then be used to determine the
unknown.
Quantities can be combined, decomposed, and rearranged in any order, but the total number of
objects remains the same.
A quantity in a set can be moved to the other set and the sets can be combined, but the whole
amount will remain the same because no additional items were added or taken away.
Addition and subtraction are inverse operations because two or more quantities can come together
and then the whole amount of objects can be taken apart, but the composition of the whole
quantity remains the same.
Standards
4.NBT.B.4
Fluently add and subtract multi-digit whole
numbers using the standard algorithm.

Tie to MP1, MP2, MP4, and MP6

Instructional Notes
3rd grade is the first time students are
introduced to solving problems using an
algorithm. By the end of 4th grade, mastery
is expected in solving problems using an
algorithm. Fluently is defined as efficient,
flexible, and accurate.
Students build on their understanding of
addition and subtraction, their use of place
value and their flexibility with multiple
strategies to make sense of the standard

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algorithm. They continue to use place value

in describing and justifying the processes
they use to add and subtract. When students
begin using the standard algorithm their
explanation may be quite lengthy. After much
practice with using place value to justify their
steps, they will develop fluency with the
algorithm. Students should be able to explain
why the algorithm works

Common Misconceptions:
Often students mix up when to 'carry' and
when to 'borrow'. Also students often do not
notice the need of borrowing and just take
the smaller digit from the larger one.
Emphasize place value and the meaning of
each of the digits.
4.OA.A.3
Solve multistep word problems posed with whole
numbers and having whole-number answers using
the four operations, including problems in which
remainders must be interpreted. Represent these
problems using equations with a letter standing for
the unknown quantity. Assess the reasonableness
of answers using mental computation and
estimation strategies including rounding.
*This unit focuses only on word problems
involving addition, subtraction, and
estimation.

The focus in this standard is to have students

use and discuss various strategies in
applying multiple operations to solve word
problems. It refers to estimation strategies,
including using compatible numbers
(numbers that sum to 10 or 100) or rounding.
Problems should be structured so that all
acceptable estimation strategies will arrive at
a reasonable answer.

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GRAD

Tie to MP1, MP3, MP6, and MP7

Knowledge
Addition involves the
composition of two
quantities.
Subtraction involves the
decomposition of a large
quantity in to smaller parts.
Addition and subtraction
can be applied to real-world
situations and problems.
Academic Vocabulary
Base-ten
Algorithm
Sum
Difference

Understandings
Connect the standard
algorithm for addition and
subtraction to strategies
based on place value
and/or non-standard
algorithms.
Estimation can be used
when an exact answer is
not needed, or to check the
reasonableness of an
answer.
Understand which
operation is required by a
word problem.

Skills
Add or subtract using the
standard algorithm.
Use mental math
computation strategies.
Solve problems and explain steps
using estimation strategies (e.g.,
rounding, compensation, and
compatible numbers).
Represent multistep word
problems using equations
and a symbol or variable
for the unknown. Interpret
multistep word problems
and determine the
appropriate operation to
solve.
Assess the reasonableness
of an answer using mental
math and estimation
strategies.
Determine which operation
is required by a word
problem, and apply the
appropriate operation.

Suggested Resources:
Engage NY Module 1: https://www.engageny.org/resource/grade-4-mathematics-module-1
NC Tasks: http://3-5cctask.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/Fourth+Grade+Tasks
Georgia Place Value Unit 1: https://www.georgiastandards.org/Georgia-Standards/Frameworks/4thMath-Unit-1.pdf
Inside Mathematics Task, The Baker : http://www.insidemathematics.org/performance-assessment-

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tasks
Illustrative Mathematics Tasks for Unit Standards: https://www.illustrativemathematics.org/4
Learn Zillion Videos for Unit Standards: https://learnzillion.com/resources/17036-4th-grade-mathvideo-lessons
Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/math/cc-fourth-grade-math/cc-4th-add-sub-topic
Math Antics Videos (Multi-Digit Addition, Multi-Digit Subtraction): http://mathantics.com/index.php
K-5 Math Teaching Resources: http://www.k-5mathteachingresources.com/4th-grade-numberactivities.html
Go Math: Lessons 1.6-1.8
Place value manipulatives
Assessment Samples:
PARCC (4.NBT.B.4)

PARCC (4.OA.A.3)

Smarter Balance (4.OA.A.3 & 4.NBT.B.4)

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Professional Resources:
NCTM Essential Understanding Series
Common Core Progressions Documents - http://ime.math.arizona.edu/progressions/
TN Core http://tncore.org/math/instructional_resources.aspx
Illustrative Mathematics https://www.illustrativemathematics.org/blueprints