i-Ready Classroom Mathematics Kindergarten, Unit 3: Addition and Subtraction Within 5
In this unit, your child begins adding and subtracting with numbers up to 5. Kindergartners solve little story problems by acting them out or using fingers, learn what the plus, minus, and equal signs mean, and start to just know facts like 4 + 1. Comparing amounts to 10 in the last unit prepared for this, and next your child explores the teen numbers and solid shapes.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 3?
- Showing adding and taking away within 5 with fingers and objects, and reading the plus sign, minus sign, and equal sign. Learn more about showing addition in many ways: Showing addition in many ways · Learn more about showing subtraction in many ways
- Solving small story problems, such as 2 cats and 3 more cats, by acting them out to find the answer. Learn more: Adding and subtracting story problems within 10
- Knowing facts within 5 by heart, such as 4 + 1 = 5 and 3 - 1 = 2, without counting on fingers 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
- Act out tiny stories with stuffed animals, such as 3 bears at a picnic and 2 more arriving, and ask your child how many are there now.
- Hold up 5 fingers and put some down, asking your child how many are still up, then try adding fingers back.
- Quiz each other on facts within 5 during a walk or ride, such as '2 plus 2' or '5 take away 3,' taking turns asking.
Where kids can get stuck
- Reading the minus sign as plus and adding both numbers, whatever the sign says.
- Counting every fact from 1, even 2 + 1, so answers are right but slow.
- Losing track of the story partway, forgetting whether the bears arrived or went home.
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.
- plus sign
- The + sign, which means add.
- minus sign
- The - sign, which means take away.
- equal sign
- The = sign, which means is the same amount as.
- fact
- A small adding or subtracting problem kids learn to just know, like 2 + 2 = 4.
- story problem
- A short math story that ends with a question to answer.
Want to help your child master adding and subtracting within 5?
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 i-Ready Classroom Mathematics Kindergarten Unit 3 cover?
i-Ready Classroom Mathematics Kindergarten Unit 3 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.