Guided Practice
Step-by-step practice with addition and subtraction up to 20
📖 Learn
In this lesson, we will practice adding and subtracting numbers up to 20 using step-by-step strategies. We will use pictures, counting, and number lines to help us solve problems.
Strategy 1: Counting On
Start with the bigger number, then count up to add.
Start at 8, count on 5 more: 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
Answer: 8 + 5 = 13
Strategy 2: Counting Back
Start with the first number, then count backwards to subtract.
Start at 15, count back 4: 14, 13, 12, 11
Answer: 15 - 4 = 11
Strategy 3: Using Pictures
Draw or count objects to solve.
🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎 + 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎 = 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎
Answer: 7 + 6 = 13
💡 Examples
Let's work through these examples together step by step.
Example 1: 9 + 7 = ?
Step 1: Start with the bigger number (9)
Step 2: Count on 7 more: 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
Answer: 9 + 7 = 16
Example 2: 18 - 6 = ?
Step 1: Start at 18
Step 2: Count back 6: 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12
Answer: 18 - 6 = 12
Example 3: 14 - 8 = ?
Step 1: We have 14 stars
Step 2: Take away 8
Cross out 8: ❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Answer: 14 - 8 = 6
✏️ Practice
Now it's your turn! Solve each problem step by step.
Problem 1: Addition
6 + 8 = ?
Need a hint?
Start at 8 (the bigger number) and count on 6 more: 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Problem 2: Subtraction
12 - 5 = ?
Need a hint?
Start at 12 and count back 5: 11, 10, 9, 8, 7
Problem 3: Addition
9 + 8 = ?
Need a hint?
Start at 9, count on 8 more: 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
Problem 4: Subtraction
16 - 7 = ?
Need a hint?
Start at 16 and count back 7: 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9
Problem 5: Addition
5 + 6 = ?
Need a hint?
Start at 6 (the bigger number) and count on 5: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Problem 6: Subtraction
14 - 6 = ?
Need a hint?
Start at 14 and count back 6: 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8
Problem 7: Addition
7 + 8 = ?
Need a hint?
Start at 8 (the bigger number) and count on 7: 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
Problem 8: Subtraction
20 - 9 = ?
Need a hint?
Start at 20 and count back 9: 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11
✅ Check Your Understanding
Think about these questions:
- When adding, why do we start with the bigger number?
- What does "counting back" mean when subtracting?
- How do pictures help us solve math problems?
Quick Check
Can you solve these in your head?
- 10 + 5 = ?
- 13 - 3 = ?
- 8 + 8 = ?
- 17 - 9 = ?
Check Answers
10 + 5 = 15 | 13 - 3 = 10 | 8 + 8 = 16 | 17 - 9 = 8
🚀 Next Steps
- Practice counting on and counting back with objects at home
- Try the word problems lesson to see addition and subtraction in stories
- Use fingers, blocks, or drawings to help you solve harder problems