Grade 1 · Math · Operations

1st Grade Add and Subtract Word Problems worksheets

6 printable versionsBuilding ConfidenceAbout 5 minutes eachFree · no account

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Add and Subtract Word Problems

Grade 1 Math Worksheet - Building Confidence

NameDate

Read the story. Write the answer.

Ruby has 2 blocks. Max has 4 blocks. How many blocks do they have together?
Ella had 8 books. Ella gave 3 books away. How many books does Ella have left?
5 cats were in the yard. 2 cats went away. How many cats are in the yard now?
Ruby picked 7 shells in the morning and 3 shells in the afternoon. How many shells did Ruby pick?
3 ducks sat by the pond. Then 6 more came. How many ducks are by the pond now?
There were 7 flowers in a basket. Ava ate 3 of them. How many flowers are left?

1st Grade Add and Subtract Word Problems worksheet 1 – printable PDF — Download PDF: 1 2 3 4 5 6

About this worksheet

A first-grade word problem can be about putting groups together or about taking some away, and the hard part is deciding which. On this worksheet each story is one or two sentences ending with a question, and your child works out the answer and writes it on the line. Half the stories are adding stories and half are taking-away stories, mixed in a different order on every version, so the child has to think about each one instead of guessing from the numbers.

Support sheets use numbers to 10, standard sheets go to 15, and challenge sheets go to 20. Read the story out loud and ask: is something added, or is something taken away or compared?

What your child will learn

Decide whether a story adds or takes away
Pick out the numbers and the question
Add or subtract to find the answer
Write the answer to a question

Common Core standard: 1.OA.A.1

Worked example

Mia had 9 stickers. Mia gave 4 stickers away. How many stickers does Mia have left? Taking away: 9 - 4 = 5. Write 5.

Common mistake

Adding the two numbers in a taking-away story because both are in the sentence.

Helpful hint

Ask: are there more now, or fewer? If fewer, subtract.

Next skill: Three-Number Word Problems Earlier: Subtraction Within 20

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with add and subtract word problems?

Adding the two numbers in a taking-away story because both are in the sentence.

How can I help my child with add and subtract word problems?

Ask: are there more now, or fewer? If fewer, subtract.

Are these 1st grade math worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions on this page are free to download and print, with no account needed.

More 1st grade operations

See all operations

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