Solve story problems within 20
Story problems are where your child first sees that math describes real things happening in their own day. Next year the same kinds of stories grow to numbers up to 100 and to problems with two steps, and a child who pictures what is happening, rather than adding whatever numbers appear, is ready for them. Problems where the missing amount comes first, like ? + 5 = 12, are also an early taste of algebra.
In this video, your child will learn to solve story problems with a bar.
The lesson stops at each question for your child's answer.
Three problems, each a little harder
Each problem is worked step by step. Your child will solve the last one before Bobby shows how.
Example 1
Ava has 6 crayons. She gets 3 more. How many crayons does she have now?
Example 2
Leo has 9 cars. He gets some more. Now he has 13. How many did he get?
Your child's turn
Some flowers were in a vase. Sam took 5. Now there are 7. How many were there at first?
The three key steps
- 1Draw a bar for the story.
- 2If the whole is missing, add the parts.
- 3If a part is missing, subtract.
Mistakes to listen for
- Adding every number out of habit, answering 20 instead of 4 for "Sam has 12 grapes and eats some. Now he has 8."
- Treating "more" as a signal to add, answering 12 instead of 6 when Lia's 9 shells are 3 more than Ben's.
- Losing track when drawing a story, mixing up which dots belong to which group and counting some of them twice.
The lesson shows every step, so your child sees why it works. Read our parent's guide to adding and subtracting story problems within 20 →
Is your child ready to practice what they've learned?
Bobby's Math Club offers unlimited practice for free.
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More 1st grade Problem Solving, with questions your child answers along the way.
Questions parents ask
Does my child need an account to watch?
No. You can watch this on any device at any time. If your child would like to practice adding and subtracting story problems within 20, and you'd like parent-friendly reports on your child's progress and growth, you can join Bobby's Math Club for unlimited free practice.
What happens when my child answers a question?
A right answer gets a cheer, and the lesson carries on. If your child isn't sure, they can tap "I don't know yet", and Bobby gives the answer and shows another example. Nothing is scored or stored.
Is this the same lesson that's on YouTube?
Yes. Here, the lesson stops at each question and waits for your child to answer. On YouTube, each question stays on screen for a few seconds, and then the lesson plays on.
Where can I learn more?
There's a short, kid-friendly lesson like this one for every Pre-K to 5th grade math skill, all in our video library. Our parent's guide to adding and subtracting story problems within 20 has more on where kids get stuck and how you can help at home. In the club, your child practices at just the right level, about five minutes a day, and you get parent-friendly reports as they grow. Learn more about how it works →
Practice adding and subtracting story problems within 20
Questions at your child's level, about five minutes a day, on adding and subtracting story problems within 20 and whatever PK-5 skills they need to develop. Unlimited practice, free forever.
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