Story Problems: Addition and Subtraction Within 10

Presentation

1
Tell a short story: 'Four ducks are on the pond. Three more ducks come. How many ducks are on the pond now?'
2
The child sets out four objects, then three more, and counts them all.
3
Ask: 'Did we put together or take away?' Write 4 + 3 = 7 together.
4
Tell a take-away story: 'There are eight apples. You eat two. How many are left?' The child removes two and counts the rest.
5
Write 8 − 2 = 6 together.
6
The child solves two or three more, then draws pictures instead of using objects.
7
The child makes up a story to match an equation the guide writes.

Break-apart stories: 'Five children, some inside and some outside.' Find and record all the ways (5 = 4 + 1, 3 + 2…).
Missing-part stories: 'I had 3 shells. Now I have 7. How many did I find?'
The child writes and illustrates their own story problems for a friend.

The child recounts the objects against the written equation; the guide checks that the equation matches the story.

Keep the numbers small so the child's attention is on the meaning of the story, not on counting.