Teaching addition and subtraction is a huge part of the kindergarten curriculum now. Long gone are the days when five-year olds only had to count to 20 and know their numbers from 1-10. It has all changed. So, we kindergarten teachers are left with the task of teaching addition and subtraction to our students. I know, Tough Stuff, but it can be done.
Here are six tips on how to teach addition and subtraction in kindergarten.
Develop number sense.
Research has shown us that students who lack a strong understanding of what numbers represent and how they relate to other numbers and the world will suffer with even the basic arithmetic problems.
With this in mind, the first few months of the school year should be dedicated to helping students form relationships with numbers. Counting everything and anything should be a daily activity. I always loved the book, How Children Learn Number Concepts, by Kathy Richardson. It gives great activities and really works.
Kids should have a solid grasp what a number is and what it represents before beginning the process of addition and subtraction. This book is very helpful in informing teachers on how to teach addition and subtraction.
Teach addition first concretely.
Often, teachers disagree on whether or not addition and subtraction should be taught together since they are related topics.
My feeling based on my many years of teaching young students is it is too confusing to teach both concepts together. They will add when they are supposed to subtract.
When beginning a math lesson, I like to sit the kids in a half circle, so they all are looking at me and can turn and engage in partner work. I set up my math block like this:
- Introduction
- Manipulative and partner work
- Independent Practice
- Math Centers and Games
To begin teaching addition, I like to give the students individual bags of unifix cubes or double sided counters. Also, a sorting page with two different sides is helpful.
With the two sided counters, I use lemons and apples as my examples at first.
I have two lemons. (one side of the sorting sheet)
I have two apples. (other side of the sorting sheet)
How many do I have in all? (Put them together in front of them.)
Use the correct vocabulary. I like to say 2 plus 2 equals the sum of 4.
Using dot cards is also a great strategy. You can bend a card with 6 dots into 4 and 2 or 3 and 3. Show one side first and ask, “ How many?” Show the other side and ask. “Now, how many?”
Use games and fun activities
Kids learn the most when the material is hands-on. Another plus is when the material is engaging. I love to use the hiding game with addition and subtraction.
I give each set of partners a number of cubes. 5 is a perfect number. One partner breaks them apart and hides some. The other has to guess how many. After they discover the correct amount, they say together: Because 2 plus 3 equals the sum of 5.
Using a variety of manipulatives is important if you have access to them. Click here for a fun math game for your kids to play.
Introduce addition abstractly.
After I know my students understand the concept of putting two sets of objects together, I introduce the addition and equals sign to them. Because they have had numerous concrete experiences, transferring knowledge will be so much easier.
So, this is the time when I have them do paper and pencil work.
I start out having them draw pictures to show 4 plus 1 equals 5 etc. We then move up to writing number sentences for objects that are already pictured.
The last type of independent work I have my students do is a worksheet with just the problems written.
Use lots of concrete practice with subtraction.
Subtraction is tough. Students at this age confuse addition and subtraction if they do not have a strong base.
After teaching addition for at least three weeks, I begin subtraction.
The same process is used. I introduce story problems and vocabulary.
Students need to know that you are ending with a smaller number. The question, “What is left?” should be continuously emphasized.
When making the transition to the abstract, I like to use the math worksheets or printables where students 
actually cross out the pictures. This gives them a greater understanding that they are taking away.
Other Ideas
- Eat goldfish crackers or candy to really motivate students.
- Have students chop the amount of cubes they are taking away.
- Use different manipulatives such as teddy bears to act out bears going away.
- A felt board is great for demonstrating story problems.
Repetition is the key.
When I learned how to teach addition and subtraction to kindergarten students, I knew that five year olds need a lot of practice to master a skill. It is just not a week of practice, and they are then experts.
To the contrary, these skills need to be repeated and reinforced with plenty of activities and hands-on lessons.
Reinforcing these math strategies during calendar time and at other times when you have an extra minute is very valuable.
Kindergarten students benefit when they know that they will use these skills in their everyday lives. Making information transfer is what teaching is all about. So, let’s make these concepts meaningful and relevant.
Relevant content: Teaching Syllables in Kindergarten
Free math worksheets: Click now!
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