Reveal Math Grade 1, Unit 5: Addition Strategies to 20
In this unit, your child moves to adding within 20 with strategies like doubles, near doubles, and making a ten. They also add three numbers in story problems. This builds on last unit's fact families and leads into strategies for subtracting within 20.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 5?
- Solving stories that add three numbers, like 5 + 4 + 5, with a total of 20 or less. Learn more: Story problems that add three numbers
- Grouping addends to make adding easier, like adding 6 + 4 first in 6 + 9 + 4 to make 10. Learn more: Adding in any order to make it easier
- Adding within 20 using doubles, near doubles, and make a ten, like solving 9 + 6 as 10 + 5. 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
Mia has 3 red apples, 2 green apples, and 4 yellow apples. How many apples does Mia have in all?
- 10
- 7
- 9
How you can help
- Roll three dice and add them together. Ask your child which two they added first and whether any two made 10.
- Count shoes by the door, 2 per person, and practice doubles out loud, like 6 + 6 = 12. Then ask about 6 + 7.
- Tell a three-number story on a walk or ride: "We saw 3 dogs, 7 bikes, and 2 buses. How many in all?"
Where kids can get stuck
- Adding only two of the three numbers in a story and forgetting the third group.
- Splitting 9 + 6 the wrong way, breaking apart 9 when moving 1 from the 6 makes the ten.
- Counting out all 13 objects for 6 + 7, instead of using the double 6 + 6 = 12 and adding 1.
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
- addend
- One of the numbers you add together, like 4 and 3 in 4 + 3.
- sum
- The answer when you add numbers together.
- total
- How many there are altogether.
- doubles
- Facts that add a number to itself, like 6 + 6 = 12.
- near doubles
- Facts that are one more than a double, like 6 + 7 = 6 + 6 + 1.
- make a ten
- Break apart a number so one part fills a ten, like 8 + 5 = 8 + 2 + 3.
- strategy
- A plan or shortcut for solving a problem.
Want to help your child master adding within 20?
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 Reveal Math Grade 1 Unit 5 cover?
Reveal Math Grade 1 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.