What your learner will practice
Counting and number sense. First graders use drawings, objects, and number lines to understand small numbers and explain their thinking. Focus on accuracy before speed.
With missing numbers in Grade 1, the goal is to build understanding and to explain the method, not just get a number. Take breaks and repeat short sessions when needed.
How to solve missing numbers problems
- 1Name the unknown quantity and read both sides of the equation.
- 2Use the inverse operation to find it.
- 3Substitute your result back into the original equation.
Common mistake to watch for
An equals sign means both sides have the same value.
Try these six examples
Read each question, solve on paper, and then check the answer. The full printable sets below provide 20 new problems each.
- 10 - ______ = 2 Answer: 8
- ______ + 3 = 11 Answer: 8
- ______ + 3 = 8 Answer: 5
- ______ + 4 = 12 Answer: 8
- 11 - ______ = 10 Answer: 1
- ______ + 9 = 12 Answer: 3
Helpful teaching idea
Try a balance-scale drawing to make the equality visible.
Use blocks or fingers first. Ask the learner to tell you how they know the answer, not simply to guess.