On the chalk board, construct a basic two-column table. In each box of the first column, write a single-digit number. Leave the second column entirely blank. Above the table write the phrase "Add 5." Ask students to add 5 to each number in the first column, and write in each correct answer as they are provided by the students. Afterward, erase the answers in the second column and ask them to now add a different number to those in the first column.
On the chalk board, draw two collections of objects, such as circles, squares, apples or stick figures. Then draw a third collection that combines the other two collections. Ask your students to write an addition sentence that accurately represent the pictures you've drawn. For example, if your first two drawings are of collections of five and seven apples, and your third is of 12 apples, students should write the following addition sentence: 5 + 7 = 12.
Write several addition equations on the board, each with one number missing. Students should provide the correct number in the blank to make each equation true. For example, in the equation __ + 15 = 30, students should supply the number 15 in the blank, to form the equation 15 + 15 = 30. This exercise can be used with one-, two- and three-digit numbers.
Write a word problem on the board and ask students to solve the problem, but not before converting the word problem to an addition sentence. For example, consider the following word problem: "Jack has two dogs. One of the dogs has six puppies. How many dogs does Jack have now?" Students should first write the problem as an addition sentence: 2 + 6 = __. Then, they should solve the problem: 2 + 6 = 8. Jack now has 8 dogs. This exercise can be expanded for adding three numbers together.