What does this printable ask my child to do?

It asks them to read three short math stories and solve one addition or subtraction question for each story.

How should I help if my child gets stuck on the words?

Read the sentence aloud, then ask what changed in the story before talking about the number sentence.

Why are the stories about rabbits, apples, and flowers?

Familiar objects make it easier to picture the action, such as more rabbits hopping in or apples being taken away.

Is this better for independent work or shared practice?

Shared practice is helpful at first because a quick adult question can keep the focus on understanding the story.

Can we reuse the page after it is finished?

Yes, cover the answers and solve again with counters, drawings, or made-up matching stories using the same numbers.

Learning Outcomes

Little math stories → Operation choice → Identifies whether each situation shows joining more items or taking items away.

Rabbits, apples, and flowers → Number modeling → Uses counting, drawing, or objects to represent each story before answering.

Grade 1 word problems → Answer checking → Connects the final number to the question asked in each story.

Next worksheet Make Ten Ten Frame Worksheet

Little Math Stories Addition and Subtraction Worksheet

1st Grade Math

English Addition & Subtraction Logical Thinking 7+ years old

Kids often know how to add or subtract, then freeze when the math is tucked inside a story. This printable keeps the reading short and clear with three little math stories: 14 rabbits plus 3 more, 20 apples with 15 taken away, and 3 flowers plus 15 more. The job is to read each story, notice what changed, and answer the question.

This is a good fit for a first grader who is ready to work with numbers up to 20 and can follow a short sentence problem. If reading the words takes too much energy, read the story aloud and let the math be the focus. Have them point to the number they start with, then to the number that tells what happens next.

The practice builds word-problem sense in a hands-on way. Words like “more,” “hop in,” “takes away,” and “left” help children decide whether to use addition or subtraction. They can draw quick marks, count on, count back, or use small objects to model the rabbits, apples, and flowers before writing the answer.

Sit nearby and ask, “What happened in the story?” before asking for the answer. If the teen numbers feel tricky, pause for a shorter number-building warm-up such as this make ten ten-frame worksheet, then come back to the stories. For more practice seeing how numbers fit together, try another make ten ten-frame page before making up one new story together.

Little Math Stories Addition and Subtraction Worksheet

Limited-time savings
on Whizki workbooks.

Boost your child’s skills with our discounted workbooks. Engaging activities for preschool, kindergarten, and grade 1 - now at special sale prices!

August Summer Learning Workbook for Kindergarten to 1st Gr...

An August workbook for the last stretch of summer. Number tracing, alphabet review, writing, science, and gentle social studies for the week...

Summer Brain Activities Workbook for Preschool and Kinderg...

A summer thinking workbook for ages 4 to 6. Coloring, logic puzzles, brain quests, and short social studies activities for the slow afternoo...

Animal Coloring Adventures Workbook for Kids Ages 3-7: Fac...

An animal-themed coloring and brain-quest book for ages 3 to 7. Facts, mazes, and quizzes about jungle, ocean, and backyard animals.

July Summer Learning Workbook for Kindergarten to 1st Grad...

A July workbook for the middle of summer. Alphabet tracing, early math, number practice, and pencil work for kids moving from kindergarten i...

Fast shipping

We make shipping simple and worry-free, so your order arrives right to your door without any extra hassle.

Secure Payment

Your payment information is protected with the highest level of encryption, giving you peace of mind every time you shop with us.

Licensed Teachers

Our workbooks are thoughtfully created by certified teachers who know how to make learning fun and effective for kids.

For the planet

We care deeply about the environment and donate 1% of all sales to projects that protect and restore our planet’s natural beauty.

Printed in the USA

Every workbook is printed right here in the USA using eco-friendly methods that help reduce waste and protect the environment.

Find fresh ideas
To help your little learners grow!

Helpful guides for parents and teachers, and tips for making learning at home super fun.

Friday, March 13, 2026

Phonics for Parents: A Simple Method That Works (Preschool–K)

Teaching a child to read often creates immense anxiety for parents, leading to frustrating flashcard memorization. This comprehensive guide details a proven, Montessori-inspired phonics method that prioritizes letter sounds over letter names. Learn how screen-free, hands-on learning activities build essential phonemic awareness and prepare preschoolers for fluent reading without academic pressure.

Sunny Hedge

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Pencil Grip Without Power Struggles: Gentle Fixes That Work (Ages 3–6)

Seeing your child hold a pencil like a dagger can trigger instant panic. But constantly 'correcting' their grip often leads to tears and a hatred of drawing. This How-To guide reveals gentle, occupational therapist-approved tricks-like the 'Broken Crayon' and the 'Pinch and Flip'-to naturally fix pencil grip without the power struggles. Learn why tactile resistance matters and how to set your child up for handwriting success.

Sunny Hedge

Sunday, March 1, 2026

Pre-Writing Skills for Preschool: What Comes Before Letters

Is your preschooler struggling to write their name? Don't panic. Before a child can write an 'A' or a 'B', they must master a hidden sequence of physical and cognitive milestones. This comprehensive guide reveals the essential 'pre-writing' strokes, explains why core strength matters more than flashcards, and shows you exactly how to improve fine motor skills through playful, screen-free practice.

Sunny Hedge

Sunday, March 1, 2026

10 Kindergarten Prep Activities That Don’t Feel Like Homework (Ages 4–6)

Preparing for kindergarten shouldn't mean tears at the kitchen table over flashcards. The best learning at this age happens through play. Discover 10 incredibly simple, screen-free activities for kids that build essential school-readiness skills-like the pincer grasp, working memory, and focus-without ever feeling like 'homework'.

Sunny Hedge

Join the Screen-Free Movement.

Get exclusive activities, expert tips, and inspiration for a more meaningful, offline family life.

Learning Outcomes

Little Math Stories Addition and Subtraction Worksheet

Plan a little more practice

Frequently asked questions

Join the Screen-Free Movement.