Little Math Stories Addition and Subtraction Worksheet

Kids often know how to add or subtract, then freeze when the numbers are tucked inside a story. This grade 1 printable keeps the reading short and concrete. It has three picture stories: frogs by a pond, apples in a basket, and flowers in a vase. Each one asks a simple question about how many there are now or how many are left.

It fits many 7-year-olds who can count on, count back, or use a quick drawing for numbers up to 16. If the reading gets in the way, read each story aloud and let your child handle the math thinking. That keeps the focus on deciding whether the action means addition or subtraction.

The practice is in the action words. Frogs “jump over” and flowers get put in, so the amounts join together. Apples are “taken away,” so the amount gets smaller. Have your child circle words like more, takes away, and left, then say the math out loud before writing an answer.

Sit nearby with a pencil, scrap paper, or small counters. Ask, “What changed in the story?” before helping with the calculation. If making friendly number pairs would help, try the make ten number bonds worksheet next. For more read-and-solve practice in the same style, use the little math stories addition and subtraction worksheet after this page.