Bridges in Mathematics Kindergarten, Unit 4: Paths to Addition & Subtraction
In this unit, your child learns to join and separate groups. Kindergartners act out small stories, add and take away with fingers or drawings, break a number like 5 into two parts in different ways, and find how many more make 10. It grows from the riding stories in the shapes-and-wheels unit, and thinking in parts and wholes carries into the next unit, which builds and takes apart flat shapes.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 4?
- Showing adding and taking away with fingers, objects, or drawings, and writing equations, math sentences like 3 + 2 = 5. Learn more about showing addition in many ways: Showing addition in many ways · Learn more about showing subtraction in many ways
- Solving adding and subtracting stories within 10 by acting out or drawing what happens to find the answer. Learn more: Adding and subtracting story problems within 10
- Breaking numbers up to 10 into two parts in more than one way, such as 6 = 4 + 2 and 6 = 5 + 1. Learn more: Splitting numbers up to 10 into two parts
- Finding the number that goes with any number from 1 to 9 to make 10, such as 7 and 3. Learn more: Finding the number that makes 10
Sample questions to try together
These are real questions from our practice. Tap the speaker to hear one read aloud, or the light bulb for a hint, and talk about the answer together.
Question 1 of 3
Start at 7 and hop back 2. Where do you land?
- 2
- 9
- 5
How you can help
- Hold up some fingers, such as 7, and ask how many more fingers make 10, then switch roles so your child can quiz you.
- Split 6 socks between two laundry baskets in different ways while sorting laundry, and say each split aloud, like 4 and 2, then 5 and 1.
- Tell a quick story at snack time, such as 'You had 5 crackers and ate 2,' and let your child show it with fingers before answering.
Where kids can get stuck
- Including the starting number when counting up to 10, so for 6 they say '6, 7, 8, 9, 10' and answer 5.
- Finding one way to split 5, such as 4 and 1, and thinking it is the only answer.
- Answering with the number taken away rather than the number left, saying 3 when 3 of 8 birds flew away.
Practice makes perfect
Bobby's Math Club has practice problems that adapt to your child’s level, each with a detailed explanation and an easy-to-follow video, so your child can build confidence in these skills one step at a time.
Words your child will hear
- add
- To put groups together to find how many in all.
- subtract
- To take some away from a group and find how many are left.
- equation
- A math sentence with an equal sign, like 3 + 2 = 5.
- plus sign
- The + sign, which means add.
- minus sign
- The - sign, which means take away.
- part
- One of the smaller amounts a number can be broken into.
- whole
- The full amount that the parts make together.
- make ten
- Finding the number that goes with another to make 10, like 7 and 3.
- ten-frame
- A grid of 10 boxes, in two rows of 5, used to show numbers.
Want to help your child master adding and subtracting?
In Bobby's Math Club, your child practices these skills at just the right level, with a hint when they need one, a clear explanation after every question, and kid-friendly videos. Unlimited practice is free.
Join the club
Written by Robert “Bobby” Barnett
Bobby is an award-winning math teacher, the author of Meet Every Learner’s Needs, and the father of two elementary-school math learners. He uses Bobby’s Math Club with his own kids a few times every week. Learn more or contact Bobby.
Which math standards does Bridges in Mathematics Kindergarten Unit 4 cover?
Bridges in Mathematics Kindergarten Unit 4 covers these math standards. Each one links to what it means, sample questions, and teaching strategies.
For teachers: Unit names and order vary between editions and districts, so your school’s own materials have the exact sequence. Learn how Bobby's Math Club can help your students grow.