Math Expressions Grade 1, Unit 1: Early Number Activities and Addition
In this unit, your child begins the year by seeing numbers as parts of a whole, like 7 as 4 and 3. They count on to add, solve simple story problems, and start learning addition facts within 10. This number work comes first in the year and leads into strategies for adding and subtracting.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 1?
- Solving short addition story problems within 20 by drawing circles or acting them out, then writing the matching equation. Learn more: Adding and subtracting story problems within 20
- Adding by counting on from the first number instead of counting both groups from 1. Learn more: Counting on and back to add and subtract
- Knowing the partners of numbers up to 10, like 6 + 4 = 10, so facts within 10 come quickly. 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
- Split 8 blocks into two groups in as many ways as you can, like 5 and 3 or 6 and 2. Have your child say each fact out loud.
- Count on while climbing stairs: say the number of the step you are on, then add 3 more steps and count on from there.
- Ask a story question at lunch: "You ate 4 apple slices and then 3 more. How many did you eat?" Let your child draw it to check.
Where kids can get stuck
- Counting both groups from 1 every time, instead of starting from the first number and counting on.
- Missing some ways to split a number, like forgetting that 10 can be 9 and 1.
- Drawing too many circles for a story, then counting them all as the answer.
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
- part
- One of the pieces that make up a whole amount.
- whole
- The full amount, before it is split into parts.
- addend
- One of the numbers you add together, like 4 and 3 in 4 + 3.
- sum
- The answer when you add numbers together.
- count on
- Start at a number and keep counting up from there.
- 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.
Ready to build your child’s confidence with early addition?
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 Math Expressions Grade 1 Unit 1 cover?
Math Expressions 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.