i-Ready Classroom Mathematics Kindergarten, Unit 5: Addition and Subtraction Within 10
In this unit, adding and subtracting reach 10. Your child solves story problems with larger amounts, splits numbers into two parts in many ways, such as 9 being 6 and 3, and finds the number that goes with another to make 10. The ten-and-some-more work from the teen-numbers unit helps here, and the final unit moves on to counting to 100 and measuring.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 5?
- Showing adding and subtracting within 10 with objects, fingers, and drawings, and writing matching equations like 9 - 3 = 6. 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 story problems within 10, such as 10 kites with 4 blowing away, by drawing what happens. Learn more: Adding and subtracting story problems within 10
- Splitting numbers up to 10 into two parts in many ways, such as 9 = 6 + 3 and 9 = 8 + 1. Learn more: Splitting numbers up to 10 into two parts
- Finding the number that makes 10 with any number from 1 to 9, such as 8 needing 2 more. 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
- Split 9 stuffed animals between two beds in different ways, saying each split aloud, such as 6 and 3, then 5 and 4.
- Play 'how many more to 10' while climbing stairs, stopping on a step like 6 and asking how many more steps reach 10.
- Tell a quick story while putting away laundry, such as '10 socks and 4 are folded,' and let your child find how many still need folding.
Where kids can get stuck
- Answering with the number taken away rather than the number left, so 10 kites with 4 blowing away gives 4.
- Including the starting number when counting up, so 6 seems to need 5 more to make 10.
- Losing or adding an object while splitting 9, ending with 5 and 5, and not checking 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- left
- How many remain after some are taken away.
Want to help your child master adding and subtracting 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.
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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 i-Ready Classroom Mathematics Kindergarten Unit 5 cover?
i-Ready Classroom Mathematics Kindergarten Unit 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.