Addition and Subtraction Visuals

Directions: Draw a number line or ten frame to solve each problem. Show your work and write the answer on the blank. You may use Number Line Posters or Ten Frame Printables to help you.

Section A: Addition Within 10 (Use a Ten Frame)

1. 4 + 3 = ________
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. 6 + 2 = ________
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Section B: Addition Within 20 (Use a Number Line)

3. 9 + 7 = ________
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. 8 + 5 = ________
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Section C: Subtraction Within 20 (Use a Number Line)

5. 14 − 6 = ________
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

6. 10 − 4 = ________
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Section D: Choose Your Tool

Draw either a ten frame or a number line—whichever helps you most.

7. 7 + 8 = ________
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

8. 15 − 9 = ________
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Math Journal Reflection

Directions: Answer the following prompts in your journal. Use complete sentences and include drawings where needed.

1. Which visual tool (number line or ten frame) did you find most helpful today? Explain why.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Think of one problem that felt challenging. Describe how you used a visual to solve it. What steps did you take?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Draw the number line or ten frame you used for solving 8 + 5 (or another problem). Label each hop or counter and explain how it helped you find the answer.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. How might you use number lines or ten frames to solve problems beyond addition and subtraction within 20? Give an example.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

5. What is one new strategy you will remember for next time? How will this help you become a stronger mathematician?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Number Line Posters

These posters display a clear number line from 0 to 20 for classroom reference. Display them side by side at the front of your room to help students visualize hops and steps when adding or subtracting.

Poster A: Simple Number Line (0–20)

0 → 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → 6 → 7 → 8 → 9 → 10 → 11 → 12 → 13 → 14 → 15 → 16 → 17 → 18 → 19 → 20

Use this poster for straightforward counting, hop modeling, and quick reference to any number within 20.

Poster B: Milestones Highlighted (0–20 with Fives & Tens)

0 → 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → 6 → 7 → 8 → 9 → 10 → 11 → 12 → 13 → 14 → 15 → 16 → 17 → 18 → 19 → 20

Use this poster to emphasize key breakpoints—every 5 and 10—to help students see grouping and count by fives.

Tips for Use:

• Point to each arrow as you model “hops” when adding or subtracting.

• Encourage students to trace with their finger to reinforce one-to-one correspondence.

• Reference the milestone poster when showing friendly numbers (e.g., adding to 10 or subtracting from 15).

• Leave both posters visible during guided and independent practice for easy student access.

Ten Frame Printables

These printables provide blank and partially filled ten frames to support visual addition and subtraction. Use them for modeling during instruction, guided practice, or independent work. Teachers can photocopy pages to give each student a printable ten frame sheet.

1. Blank Ten Frame

Use the blank ten frame to let students place counters, draw dots, or color squares as they solve problems. Copy as many as you need.

2. Partially Filled Ten Frames

Provide these templates when you want to scaffold student work—students can start with counters already placed and then add or remove to solve.

a. Three Counters

b. Five Counters

c. Seven Counters

3. Doubles & Near Doubles

Use these for practice with facts like 5 + 5 or 6 + 7 (6 + 6 + 1).

Tips for Using Ten Frame Printables

• Encourage students to physically place counters (or draw dots) in each square to show their thinking.
• Have students color in squares when counters aren’t available.
• Use partially filled frames to focus on ‘making ten’ strategies (e.g., 8 + 2, start with 8-filled frame).
• Pair with Number Line Posters for students to check their answer with hops.
• Laminate printables for repeated use with dry-erase markers during centers or small groups.

Copy and distribute these pages as needed for whole-class, small-group, or individual practice.

Counter Pair Game

Objective: Practice adding and subtracting within 20 by rolling dice, modeling with counters, and using ten frames to visualize operations.

Audience: 1st Grade

Time: 8 minutes

Materials:

• 2 dice (one per partner)
• Plastic Counters Set
• Ten Frame Printables
• Dry-Erase Boards and Markers

Setup

• Students pair up and collect materials.
• Each pair has two dice, a ten frame printable, counters, and a dry-erase board (or journal page).
• Decide who is Player 1 and Player 2 for the first round.

How to Play

1. Player 1 rolls both dice.
   • Record the two numbers (e.g., 4 and 2).
2. Choose the operation.
   • Addition turn: add the two dice values.
   • Subtraction turn: subtract the smaller number from the larger one.
   (Or alternate: Round 1 = addition, Round 2 = subtraction.)
3. Model with counters.
   • Use your Ten Frame Printable and place counters to show the problem.
   • For addition, fill one frame (or two) to represent the total.
   • For subtraction, start with counters equal to the larger number, then remove counters to show what’s taken away.
4. Write and share.
   • On your dry-erase board, write the equation (e.g., 4 + 2 = 6 or 5 − 3 = 2).
   • Show your model and equation to Player 2 for checking.
5. Check & Score.
   • Player 2 verifies the model and answer.
   • If correct, award 1 point; if not, discuss how to adjust the model.
6. Switch roles.
   • Player 2 now rolls and repeats Steps 1–5.
   • Continue playing until each student has taken 3 turns.

Reflection & Extension

• After the game, each pair shares one strategy that helped them solve a tricky problem.
• Discuss: How did the ten frame make adding or subtracting easier?
• Variation: Limit the game to addition-only rounds or subtraction-only rounds to focus practice on one operation at a time.

Visuals Worksheet Answer Key

Section A: Addition Within 10 (Use a Ten Frame)

1. 4 + 3 = 7
   • Strategy & Steps:

   1. Place 4 counters in the ten frame.
   2. Add 3 more counters.
   3. Count all counters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 → Answer = 7.

2. 6 + 2 = 8
   • Strategy & Steps:

   1. Place 6 counters in the ten frame.
   2. Add 2 counters.
   3. Count: 1–6 (first group), then 7, 8 → Answer = 8.

Section B: Addition Within 20 (Use a Number Line)

3. 9 + 7 = 16
   • Strategy & Steps:

   1. Draw a number line from 9 to at least 16.
   2. Start at 9.
   3. Hop 7 steps: 9 → 10 (1 hop), then to 16 (6 more hops).
   4. Land on 16 → Answer = 16.

4. 8 + 5 = 13
   • Strategy & Steps:

   1. Draw a number line from 8 to at least 13.
   2. Start at 8.
   3. Hop 2 to reach 10, then 3 more to reach 13.
   4. Land on 13 → Answer = 13.

Section C: Subtraction Within 20 (Use a Number Line)

5. 14 − 6 = 8
   • Strategy & Steps:

   1. Draw a number line from 14 down to 8.
   2. Start at 14.
   3. Hop back 6 steps: back 4 to 10, then back 2 to 8.
   4. Land on 8 → Answer = 8.

6. 10 − 4 = 6
   • Strategy & Steps:

   1. Draw a number line from 10 down to 6.
   2. Start at 10.
   3. Hop back 4 steps: 10 → 9 → 8 → 7 → 6.
   4. Land on 6 → Answer = 6.

Section D: Choose Your Tool

7. 7 + 8 = 15
   • Possible Strategies:
   – Number Line: Start at 7, hop 3 to reach 10, then hop 5 to reach 15.
   – Ten Frame: Place 7 in the frame, add 3 to fill 10, then add remaining 5 → total 15.

8. 15 − 9 = 6
   • Possible Strategies:
   – Number Line: Start at 15, hop back 5 to reach 10, then hop back 4 to reach 6.
   – Ten Frame Model: Use a full ten frame (10) plus 5 dots in a second frame (15).
   • Remove 5 from the second frame (brings total to 10), then remove 4 from the first frame → 6 remain.