Picture Stories: Add and Take Away

This addition and subtraction story worksheet contains three short situations involving apples, frogs, and rabbits. Read what happens to the starting group, decide whether the amount increases or decreases, and write the answer. The picture models show the groups joining or the objects crossed out when they leave. A final prompt invites the child to create a math story with two given amounts.

The first story says: There are 8 apples in a basket. Sam adds 2 more apples. How many apples are there now? This represents 8 plus 2, giving 10. Read the complete situation before calculating so the operation follows what happened. Point to the corresponding parts of the model and ask what each amount represents in the story.

An adult can read the stories aloud while the child moves counters, follows the picture model, or explains the change. In the final activity, make a story using 2 and 2. Say what the quantities refer to, describe a change, and ask a clear math question. Encourage the child to check that the story, model, and numerical answer all describe the same situation.

Continue with related activities in the Addition and Subtraction Pack. The number reference library offers another look at the numerals and quantities used in early math. Choose a few questions that the child can discuss comfortably, then return to the page during another short practice session. A useful next step is asking the child to explain one answer using a different drawing or a small group of counters.