First Grade Math Activities for Addition & Subtraction

Using fruit or other tangible items will help with the abstract concepts of math.

Introducing first grade students to the mathematical concepts of addition and subtraction can be a difficult task. Because these concepts are completely new for many children, it is important to develop activities and games that make adding and subtracting both fun and comprehensible tasks. Encourage children to explore and get excited about the world of math by taking a little time to develop creative exercises for them.

Addition/Subtraction Race

Hold a weekly addition and subtraction race. Create a sheet with 30 addition and subtraction problems on it. Hand out the test each week and give the students 60 seconds to complete as many addition and subtraction problems as they can. The student to finish the most problems correctly, or to finish her test first, will receive a prize such as candy or a pencil. This exercise will not only give first graders the opportunity to complete a significant number of addition and subtraction problems, but will encourage them to fully understand and improve their knowledge so that they might do better next time. Be sure to correct the tests in class so that students can identify which questions they missed and you can see what areas the class struggles with.

Addition/Subtraction Pictures

Use pictures or images to help teach addition and subtraction. For example, make a number of paper apples and hold them before the class. If you are holding five apples, ask the class how many apples will be left if you take two away. Do a similar activity by holding two apples and asking how many there will be if two more apples are added. Not only will they be able to relate mathematics to real life situations, but the visual aids will help them see the answer. Because numbers are fairly abstract concepts, images of numbers can aid first graders in understanding.

Ways to Make a Number

In mathematics there are several ways to reach a number through addition or subtraction. For example, when making the number "5" you can add 0+5, 1+4, 2+3, 3+2, 4+1 or 5+0. Arrange this list of ways to make 5 in the given order, but exclude one of the solutions. Have your class identify what missing pair of numbers also creates 5. You can do this exercise with other major numbers, such as 10 or 20. You can also use subtraction exercises rather than addition. Not only will students see combinations of numbers that have the same solution, but they will have to critically think of what other possible solutions there may be.

Math Stories

Create a number of short math stories that involve addition or subtraction (e.g., If Jane has four pencils and her brother gives her two more, how many pencils does Jane have?). Once again, this exercise will make the abstract concept of math seem more relatable to the lives of first grade students. You may give these exercises on paper to the students, or you can discuss them aloud to find the answers.

References

• IXL: First Grade Math Practice
• Internet 4 Classrooms: 1st Grade Interactive Math Skill Builders