Go Math! Kindergarten, Chapter 5: Addition
In this unit, your child learns adding as joining. Kindergartners solve short story problems by acting them out, drawing them, or using fingers, write equations with the plus and equal signs, and start to know small facts like 2 + 3 quickly. All the counting to 10 from earlier makes this possible, and the next unit turns the idea around with subtraction.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Chapter 5?
- Joining groups with objects, fingers, and drawings, and writing equations with the plus sign, +, and the equal sign, =. Learn more about showing addition in many ways: Showing addition in many ways · Learn more about showing subtraction in many ways
- Solving adding stories within 10, such as 4 frogs and 3 more hopping in, to find how many in all. Learn more: Adding and subtracting story problems within 10
- Adding within 5 quickly and correctly, such as 2 + 3 = 5 and 4 + 1 = 5, without counting from 1 each time. Learn more about adding fluently within 5: Adding fluently within 5 · Learn more about subtracting fluently within 5
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
- Put some socks in a basket and add a few more while folding laundry, then ask your child how many are in the basket now.
- Make up adding stories about your day, such as '3 ducks in the pond and 2 more swim over,' and let your child show it with fingers.
- Write a plus sign and an equal sign on paper and let your child fill in a story with drawings, like 2 apples + 2 apples = 4 apples.
Where kids can get stuck
- Writing 3 + 2 = 5 from memory but not being able to show it with objects or a drawing.
- Counting every fact from 1 on fingers, even 1 + 1, so sums are right but slow.
- Knowing 4 + 1 = 5 but treating 1 + 4 as a brand new fact to work out.
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.
- sum
- The answer when you add; in 2 + 3 = 5, the sum is 5.
- story problem
- A short math story that ends with a question to answer.
Want to help your child master addition within 10?
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 Go Math! Kindergarten Chapter 5 cover?
Go Math! Kindergarten Chapter 5 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.