1st Grade Addition & Subtraction Word Problems (Within 20)
Solve simple addition and subtraction word problems with answers within 20.
- Homework
- Centers
- Review
- Morning Work
- Intervention
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No sign-up required. Clean, low-ink US Letter format.
- Grade
- 1st Grade
- Subject
- Math
- Skill
- Word Problems
- Topic
- addition and subtraction word problems within 20
- Difficulty
- Standard
- Time
- 14 minutes
- Pages
- 2 (incl. answer key)
- Format
- Printable PDF (US Letter)
- Answer key
- Included
- Best for
- homework, centers, review, morning work, intervention
Worksheet details
What This Worksheet Practices
Students will solve addition and subtraction word problems within 20.
- Deciding to add or subtract
- Adding and subtracting within 20
- Writing a number sentence
Worksheet Preview
First word problems
Word problems ask first graders to turn a little story into math. The skill that matters most is deciding whether to add or subtract: stories that put amounts together call for addition, while stories that take some away call for subtraction.
How to use it
Read each story together and ask, “Are we putting together or taking away?” Then write a number sentence and the answer. The challenge adds a comparison (“how many more”) and a two-step problem. Builds on addition and subtraction within 20.
👩🏫 Teacher note
Read each problem aloud. Ask if the story puts amounts together (add) or takes some away (subtract). Have students write a number sentence and the answer.
🏠 Parent note
Decide if the total gets bigger (add) or smaller (subtract), then solve.
Common Mistakes to Watch For
- Choosing the wrong operation
- Adding the wrong two numbers
Answer Key
Each answer shows the number sentence and the result.
⬇ Download Answer Key (PDF)Related Worksheets
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Frequently Asked Questions
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