Addition Teaching Resources
Introduce addition this school year with printable worksheets, digital activities, adding games, addition word problems, flashcards and more to help students understand how to add numbers and apply addition strategies to math problems.
This teaching resource collection was created by the teachers on the Teach Starter team for elementary teachers. Each of the curriculum-aligned resources has been carefully reviewed and curated by our expert teachers to make sure it's ready to use with your students! Browse printables and digital activities for teaching students how to make 10, how to add integers and more, plus find differentiated resources to help you meet each student's needs!
New to teaching addition, or just looking for new ways to engage your students? Read on for a primer from our teacher team, including a kid-friendly definition and some common vocabulary!
What Is Addition? A Kid-Friendly Definition
Let's start with a definition of this math operation that's easy for them to understand!
Addition is a math operation that involves combining two or more numbers to find a total. The symbol (+) is used to indicate addition, and this is called a plus sign.
Here's an example of addition at work!
In the equation 2 + 3 = 5, the numbers 2 and 3 are added together to get a sum of 5.
Addition Terms for Kids to Learn
There are plenty of new vocabulary words for your students to learn when introducing addition. Here are some of the terms you will want to start off with.
Sum
The sum is the result of adding two or more numbers. It's the solution or answer to an addition problem!
In the equation 2 + 3 = 5, 5 is the sum.
Addend
The numbers being added in an addition equation are called addends.
In the equation 2 + 3 = 5, for example, both 2 and 3 are addends.
Commutative Property
The commutative property states that changing the order of the addends in your addition problem does not change the sum.
For example, 2 + 3 is the same as 3 + 2.
Associative Property
The associative property states that changing the grouping of the addends in your math problem will not change the sum.
For example, (2 + 3) + 4 is the same as 2 + (3 + 4).
Repeated Addition
Sometimes a math problem involves adding the same number multiple times. We call this repeated addition, and it's a way to find the product of two numbers where one of the numbers is repeated a certain number of times.
Repeated addition is handy for helping students understand multiplication. After all, multiplication can be thought of as repeated addition.
Cartoon plus sign
What Is Partial Sums Addition?
If you know what a sum is, you're halfway to understanding partial sums addition! This math vocabulary term refers to adding two or more numbers by breaking apart the addends and adding the value of the digits in each place value position from right to left.
This handy strategy is great to use with students when they are first learning to add two or more numbers. Partial sums addition breaks down the process of addition into smaller, more manageable steps.
Let's look at an example.
If you have the 36 + 27 and want to use partial sums addition, you start by determining the value of the digits in the ones place, adding them together, and writing down the sum (6 + 7 = 13).
Next, add the value of the tens place digits together (30 + 20 = 50), and write down the answer under the previous sum. Add together the two partial sums to get your answer, 63.
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Addition Strategy - Decompose, Then Make 10 Worksheet
Build addition strategies using digits 1-10 with this two-page decomposing numbers worksheet.
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Tens Frame - Addition and Subtraction Match-Up Activity
Build addition and subtraction skills with two tens frame matching games.
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Classroom Spinner Template - Math Equations
A classroom spinner template focusing on math equations using addition and subtraction.
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Number Talks - Making Numbers Task Cards
Build number sense skills with this set of 20 task cards.
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Number Talks - Fluency to 20 Task Cards
Build number sense skills with this set of 24 task cards.
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Word Problem Task Cards: Addition and Subtraction Within 10
Practice addition and subtraction within 10 with this set of 18 word problem task cards.
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Target Number Math Warm-up Activity
A great math warm-up activity where students brainstorm number sentences that equal a 'target number'.
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Friends of 20 – Addition Match-up Activity
A set of 40 matching cards to explore the number combinations of 20.
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Math Mazes - Addition and Subtraction
A set of puzzling mazes that require addition and subtraction skills to solve.
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MLK Day Hidden Message - Lower Grades
Practice addition and subtraction facts within 20 to uncover a meaningful quote.
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Addition Worm – Worksheet
A set of differentiated addition worksheets.
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Word Problem Task Cards - 2-digit + 1-digit Addition
Practice adding 2-digit and 1-digit numbers with this set of 16 word problem task cards.
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Missing Addend Picture Puzzle – Level 2
Solve the missing addition sentence by matching the addend with its equation, completing the puzzle.
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Missing Addend Picture Puzzle – Level 1
Solve the missing addition sentence by matching the addend with its equation, completing the puzzle.
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Polygon Puzzles - Addition
A set of 7 polygon puzzles to practice solving addition sentences.
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Friends of... 1 to 10 - Black and White Version
A set of 10 posters showing the different combinations to make the numbers 1 to 10.
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2-Digit Plus 1-Digit Addition – Star Matchup Cards
A set of matchup cards to practice adding a 2-digit number with a 1-digit number.
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Addition Up to 20 - Star Matchup Cards
A set of matchup cards to practice adding within 20.
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Addition Up To 20 - Star Matchup Cards
A set of matchup cards to practice adding within 20.
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Addition Up To 20 - Owl Matchup Cards
A set of matchup cards to practice adding within 20.
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Addition Up To 20 - Monster Matchup Cards
A set of matchup cards to practice adding within 20.
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Ladybug Addition and Subtraction Activity
A fun and simple adding and subtracting activity.
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Hundreds Chart Mystery Picture - Addition Task Cards
Practice adding single and double-digit numbers in your classroom with this set of 32 picture reveal task cards.
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Color by Numbers - Adding Single-Digit Numbers
A set of 5 color by number activity pages to use when practicing addition facts.
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Build a Board Game – Math Challenge
Challenge students to design and create a math board game.
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Picture Addition Worksheet
A worksheet to practice the addition strategy of counting on.
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Ten Add Bowling Active Learning
A whole class active game that encourages learning through a physical setting.
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Equation Tails Active Learning
A whole class active game that encourages learning through a physical setting.
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Dodging Equations Active Learning
A whole class active game that encourages learning through a physical setting.
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Rainbow Numbers Poster
A poster showing the different combinations of 10.
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Counting On 2 and 3 - Number Facts Board Game
A fun, hands-on game students can play to practice the 'Counting On 2 and 3' addition strategy.
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Counting On 1 - Number Facts Board Game
A fun, hands-on game students can play to practice the 'Counting On 1' addition strategy.