enVision Mathematics Kindergarten, Topic 6: Understand Addition
In this unit, your child meets adding as putting groups together. Kindergartners act out joining stories, use fingers, drawings, or objects to find the total, and start to read and write equations, math sentences like 3 + 2 = 5. After sorting and counting groups, joining them is the natural next step, and the following unit turns the idea around to taking away.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Topic 6?
- Showing adding by putting groups of objects, fingers, or drawings together, and writing it as an equation like 4 + 1 = 5. Learn more about showing addition in many ways: Showing addition in many ways · Learn more about showing subtraction in many ways
- Solving joining stories within 10, such as 3 ducks and 4 more ducks, by acting them out or drawing them to find how many in all. Learn more: Adding and subtracting story problems within 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
- Tell joining stories with stuffed animals at a pretend party, such as 3 guests arriving and then 2 more, and ask how many are at the party in all.
- Put some spoons in one hand and some in the other, then bring them together and let your child count the total and say the math sentence.
- Draw a quick picture story on paper, such as 4 balloons and 3 more, and let your child write the plus sign and the total under it.
Where kids can get stuck
- Copying 3 + 2 = 5 correctly but not being able to show the same problem with objects.
- Counting both groups separately and stopping there, without putting them together for the total.
- Losing track of the story partway, forgetting how many guests arrived second, and guessing the total.
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.
- plus sign
- The + sign, which means add.
- equal sign
- The = sign, which means is the same amount as.
- equation
- A math sentence with an equal sign, like 3 + 2 = 5.
- in all
- How many there are altogether after groups are put together.
- total
- How many there are altogether.
- story problem
- A short math story that ends with a question to answer.
Want to help your child master addition?
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.
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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 enVision Mathematics Kindergarten Topic 6 cover?
enVision Mathematics Kindergarten Topic 6 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.