1st grade addition
1st grade addition (class 1): a quiz for kids, then every skill in order with lessons, a checklist and a 4-week plan for parents.
🧒 Kids: answer 10 grade 1 addition questions. Tap Check ✓ after each one!
What 1st grader learn about addition
Grade 1 (class 1) is the big year for addition facts. Children add within 20 using strategies such as counting on, making 10 and doubles, and should know the facts within 10 from memory by the end of the year. They add three small numbers, solve word problems of every type within 20, and start adding tens and ones within 100.
- 1.OA.A.1: solve word problems within 20 (adding to, putting together, comparing, with unknowns in every position).
- 1.OA.A.2: solve word problems with three numbers whose sum is 20 or less.
- 1.OA.B.3: use the properties of addition as strategies (turn-around, grouping).
- 1.OA.C.6: add within 20 and know the facts within 10 fluently.
- 1.NBT.C.4: add within 100 (a 2-digit number and a 1-digit number or a multiple of 10).
- 1.NBT.C.5: find 10 more than a 2-digit number in your head.
Other grades: Kindergarten · 1st grade · 2nd grade · 3rd grade · 4th grade
The big idea in grade 1
Grade 1 is about moving from counting to thinking strategies. A child who counts on fingers for 8 + 5 gets the right answer slowly. A child who thinks “8 + 2 = 10, and 3 more is 13” gets it quickly and learns something about ten.
Teach one strategy at a time, in this order: counting on (for + 1, + 2, + 3), facts to 10, making 10, then doubles and near doubles. Each new strategy covers a new set of facts.
By the end of the year, most facts within 20 should take a few seconds. The rest can still use a strategy; speed comes in grade 2.
1st grade addition skills, in order
Work down the list. Each lesson explains the idea for parents with pictures and has a tool or quiz for your child.
| # | Skill (lesson) | Practice |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Counting on | Practice |
| 2 | Addition within 10 | Practice |
| 3 | Make 10 | Practice |
| 4 | Doubles and near doubles | Practice |
| 5 | Properties of addition | Turn-around tool |
| 6 | Adding three numbers | Quiz on the page |
| 7 | Addition within 20 | Practice |
| 8 | Adding tens | Practice |
| 9 | Word problems | Bar model tool |
By the end of grade 1, your child should be able to…
- Know every fact within 10 in about 3 seconds.
- Use make 10 for 8 + 5 (8 + 2 + 3).
- Use doubles for 6 + 7 (6 + 6 + 1).
- Add three numbers like 4 + 6 + 3.
- Solve “Leo had 8, now he has 13. How many did he get?”
- Add 10 or a multiple of 10 to a 2-digit number: 34 + 20 = 54.
Unsure where your child is? The addition levels page has a short test for every step from counting to big numbers.
A 4-week plan for 1st grade addition
| When | Focus |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Counting on and facts within 10 |
| Week 2 | Make 10 and pairs to 10 |
| Week 3 | Doubles, near doubles and three numbers |
| Week 4 | Facts within 20, adding tens and word problems |
Add 5 minutes of fact practice every day with the addition practice trainer, and a weekly addition speed test.
More for grade 1
All 1st grade math · CBSE class 1 maths parent guide · Addition quiz for every grade · Addition for kids
What to say to your child
A short script for teaching it the first time. Pause after each line and let your child do the next step.
- “What is 8 + 5? Can you make a 10 first?” (8 + 2 = 10, then 3 more: 13.)
- “What about 6 + 7?” (6 + 6 = 12, and 1 more: 13.)
- “Does 3 + 9 give the same as 9 + 3?” (Yes, the order doesn’t matter.)
- “What is 10 more than 34?” (44.)
- “Make up a story for 7 + 6 and tell me the answer.”
More worked examples
Example 1: make 10: 9 + 4
9 + 1 = 10, then 3 more: 13.
Example 2: near double: 7 + 8
7 + 7 = 14, plus 1 = 15.
Example 3: three numbers: 4 + 7 + 6
4 + 6 = 10, then + 7 = 17.
Practice questions (answers below)
Ask these out loud or write them down. Check each answer, and ask “how did you get that?” for one or two.
- 6 + 3
- 8 + 2
- 9 + 5
- 7 + 7
- 6 + 7
- 8 + ? = 15
- 5 + 2 + 5
- 40 + 30
- 23 + 10
- Mia has 9 shells and finds 6 more. How many shells?
Show the answers
- 9
- 10
- 14
- 14
- 13
- 7
- 12
- 70
- 33
- 15 shells
Common mistakes
How to teach it at home
Five minutes a day
Short daily practice beats long weekend sessions.
Talk it through
Ask “how did you work that out?” for one problem each day.
Use real life
Shopping, scores, pages read and steps walked are all addition.
By grade
- Before: kindergarten addition
- After: 2nd grade addition
Not sure where to start?
The free 1st grade math check-up tests every grade 1 topic in 10–15 minutes. It shows which topics are solid and which lesson to start with.
Worksheets and practice
Addition within 20 worksheet: printable PDF with an answer key.
Last reviewed
Questions parents ask
What addition should a 1st grader know?
By the end of grade 1, all facts within 10 from memory, strategies for facts within 20, adding three numbers, word problems within 20 and adding tens within 100.
How can I help my 1st grader with addition facts?
Teach one strategy at a time (counting on, make 10, doubles) and practice for 5 minutes a day with a trainer or flash cards.
Is there a 1st grade addition quiz?
Yes. The quiz at the top of this page has 10 mixed grade 1 addition questions. Each one is marked straight away, with a hint for every mistake. Play again for a fresh set, or try the addition quiz for every grade.
What is class 1 addition?
Class 1 in India and grade 1 in the US cover the same addition skills. This page lists them in order, starting with counting on, addition within 10, make 10.
How much addition practice does a 1st grader need?
About 10 minutes a day: 5 minutes of facts with the trainer and 5 minutes on the current skill. Short daily practice works better than long weekly sessions.