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Kindergarten Math: Addition Strategies

Kindergarten math: addition strategies are the shortcuts that replace counting everything: counting on from the larger number, adding one or zero, doubles like 4 + 4, and making ten. A child counting on for 6 + 2 says 'six... seven, eight' instead of starting again at one. 165 printable worksheets, first three free.

Practice pages support a program; they are not the lesson. These sheets reinforce Building Number Sense Kindergarten, the sequenced K–5 math series from Faith Thinkers. See every program →

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Includes 8 activity types: Apply, Connect, Discover, Fluency, Model, Prove, Spiral, Strategy.

Addition of Two One-Digit Numbers (Practice Set 1) Free Sheet 1 of 165
Addition Strategy Paths (Practice 1) Free Sheet 2 of 165
Addition Strategy Paths (Practice 2) Free Sheet 3 of 165
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Teaching Addition Strategies

What it is

Addition strategies are the shortcuts that replace counting everything: counting on from the larger number, adding one or zero, doubles like 4 + 4, and making ten. A child counting on for 6 + 2 says 'six... seven, eight' instead of starting again at one.

When a child is ready

Introduce strategies once the child adds reliably by counting objects and can start counting from a number other than one.

If they struggle

Teach one strategy at a time and use a page where every problem fits it, so the shortcut is obvious before problems are mixed. If the child still counts from one, hide the larger group under a cup with its number written on top, and count on from the cup.