Into Math Grade 1, Unit 1: Addition and Subtraction Concepts
In this unit, your child learns what adding and subtracting mean, by putting groups together, taking some away, and comparing. They count on and back on a number line and find missing numbers in simple equations. These first ideas lead straight into the next unit, where children learn faster strategies for addition and subtraction facts.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 1?
- Acting out putting-together, taking-apart, and comparing stories within 20, then writing an equation, a number sentence, to match each one. Learn more: Adding and subtracting story problems within 20
- Hopping forward on a number line to add and hopping back to subtract, one count at a time. Learn more: Counting on and back to add and subtract
- Finding the unknown number in equations like 4 + ? = 9 by thinking about how the three numbers fit together. Learn more: Missing numbers, like 8 + ? = 11
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
- Act out a story with stuffed animals: "Five are at the party and 3 go home. How many stay?" Then ask your child to tell you a story of their own.
- Draw a number line from 0 to 20 on a long strip of paper on the floor. Call out 6 + 3 and have your child stand on 6, then jump forward three spaces.
- Hide some blocks in one hand and show the rest. Say "There are 9 in all, and you see 4. How many am I hiding?"
Where kids can get stuck
- Counting the starting space as a hop on the number line, landing one short of the right answer.
- Giving the total as the answer to 4 + ? = 9, instead of the missing part, 5.
- Adding in a comparing story, when the question asks how many fewer one group has.
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
- Put groups together to find how many in all.
- subtract
- Take some away, or find how far apart two numbers are.
- equation
- A number sentence with an equal sign, like 6 + 2 = 8.
- unknown
- The missing number in a problem, often shown as a box or a question mark.
- number line
- A line with numbers in order, used to count forward and back.
- 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.
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 Into Math Grade 1 Unit 1 cover?
Into Math Grade 1 Unit 1 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.