CCSS.Math.Content.K.OA.A.2
The Standard
Solve addition and subtraction word problems, and add and subtract within 10, e.g., by using objects or drawings to represent the problem.
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics · Operations and Algebraic Thinking
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students decide whether a story joins groups or takes part of a group away. They use objects or pictures to find answers with numbers through 10.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can act out a short story with counters or show it in a drawing. They find the correct total or amount left and explain what changed.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may add when the story says some objects were removed. They may count the objects taken away instead of the objects left, or miscount when using counters.
How to Assess It
- Give each student 10 counters and say, “You have 6 bears. Two walk away. Show what happens and draw the answer.”
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give students counters and cups, then read short stories where they combine groups or remove objects to find an answer.
Ask, “Mia has 4 apples and gets 3 more. What changed?” Students draw and explain their thinking to a partner.
Play Story Card Match by pairing picture cards showing an action with number cards showing the correct answer.
Set up a pretend snack table where students add crackers to plates or take crackers away, then count the result.
Free download
Printable K.OA.A.2 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.Math.Content.K.OA.A.2, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
Download the worksheetLearning progression
Where This Standard Sits
See the whole path on the Operations & Algebraic Thinking progression map.
Before This Standard
If students are struggling here, check these first.
- CCSS.Math.Content.K.CC.B.5
Counting objects and counting out sets supports modeling add and subtract word problems with objects, but students can begin with direct manipulation.
- CCSS.Math.Content.K.CC.B.4
Students must connect counted objects to quantities before using objects or drawings to find sums and differences within 10.
- CCSS.Math.Content.K.OA.A.1
Students need to model joining and taking apart with objects, drawings, or equations before solving addition and subtraction word problems.
What This Unlocks
Mastery here sets students up for these next.
- CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.C.6
Solving and representing addition and subtraction within 10 supports the facts and meanings needed for fluent strategies within 20.
- CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.A.2
Students use the same word problem modeling and within-10 addition to combine three addends and represent unknowns within 20.
- CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.A.1
Solving simple add and subtract stories within 10 supports larger numbers, more problem types, and unknown positions within 20.
- CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.B.4
Solving small addition and subtraction problems with objects gives the concrete part-whole experience needed to see subtraction as missing addend.
Keep exploring
Related Standards
- CCSS.Math.Content.2.MD.B.5
Use addition and subtraction within 100 to solve word problems involving lengths that are given in the same units, e.g., by using drawings (such as drawings of ...
- CCSS.Math.Content.2.OA.A.1
Use addition and subtraction within 100 to solve one- and two-step word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart,...
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