Everyday Mathematics Grade 1, Unit 2: Adding and Subtracting
In this unit, your child puts their counting to work and begins adding and subtracting. They count on to add, count back to subtract, and practice facts within 20. These first strategies grow out of last unit's counting and lead into number stories, where children use the same facts to solve everyday problems.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 2?
- Solving short adding and taking-away stories within 20 with objects, drawings, and number sentences like 7 + 5 = 12. Learn more: Adding and subtracting story problems within 20
- Counting on from a number to add and counting back from a number to subtract, such as saying 10, 11 for 9 + 2. Learn more: Counting on and back to add and subtract
- Practicing addition and subtraction facts within 20, with the goal of quick, accurate answers for facts within 10. Learn more about adding within 20: Adding within 20 · Learn more about subtracting within 20
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
I had some toy cars. My friend gave me 3 more cars. Now I have 8 cars in total. How many toy cars did I have at first?
- 3
- 5
- 8
How you can help
- Hop along the sidewalk while counting on: start at 8, take three hops, and say 9, 10, 11. Then hop back three, counting back, and land on 8 again.
- Tell a quick story at snack time: "You have 6 crackers and I give you 4 more. How many now?" Let your child count on from 6 to check.
- Play a fast fact game while waiting in line. Call out a fact within 10, like 3 + 4, take turns answering, and then switch to taking away.
Where kids can get stuck
- Counting the starting number as one when counting on, landing on 9 for 8 + 2 instead of 10.
- Counting every object from 1 each time, instead of starting at the first number and counting on.
- Adding both numbers in a take-away story, because they see two numbers and miss the word left.
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
- sum
- The answer when you add numbers together.
- difference
- The answer when you subtract one number from another.
- count on
- Start at a number and keep counting up from there.
- count back
- Start at a number and count down, one at a time.
- number line
- A line with numbers in order, used to count forward and back.
- equation
- A number sentence with an equal sign, like 6 + 2 = 8.
- fact
- A short addition or subtraction problem, like 7 + 3 = 10, that kids learn to know quickly.
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.
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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 Everyday Mathematics Grade 1 Unit 2 cover?
Everyday Mathematics Grade 1 Unit 2 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.