Why mix addition and subtraction on one page?

Because a page of all-addition lets kids stop reading. When either sign can be right, the story has to be read, and that reading is the actual skill 1.OA.A.1 is after.

How many problems does the sheet have?

Five short stories, each with room to show work and an answer line. The second page is the answer key, with the equation written out for every problem.

1st grade addition & subtraction word problems

1st grade addition & subtraction word problems worksheets

These worksheets mix the two operations from the start, which is exactly what 1.OA.A.1 pictures: add to, take from, and put together stories with numbers within 20, plus a missing part now and then. Because either sign can be right, your child has to read the story instead of guessing from habit.

Free printable PDF worksheet, aligned to Common Core 1.OA.A.1.

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The kind of problems you'll get

Read each problem. Show your work and write the answer.

Gabriel found 6 shells in the morning. Gabriel found 2 shells later. How many shells did Gabriel find?
Answer: 8
6 toy cars are race cars or trucks. 3 cars are race cars. How many are trucks?
Answer: 3
Lucy 's box has 6 red crayons. It has 2 blue crayons. How many crayons are in the box?
Answer: 8

Every print pulls a fresh set of problems at this level, so a make-up test or a second sibling never gets the same sheet.

What's on each sheet

Addition and subtraction word problems. Read each problem. Show your work and write the answer. 4 problems per page.
Adding three numbers word problems. Read each story. Show how you find the missing quantity. 4 problems per page.

Every version prints on US Letter or A4, with its answer key after the problems.

How to teach this

Since either operation can appear, make "what happened in the story" the first question every time. Growing means add, shrinking means subtract, and a missing part means count up from the part you know. Let fingers and counters do the heavy lifting at this stage. The goal is choosing the right operation, not speed, and not doing it all in their head.

Watch for: Kids hunt for a keyword instead of reading, so 'more' means add even when the story compares. Have your child retell the problem in their own words, then say the operation and why, before touching the numbers. In part unknown problems, kids add the whole and the part. If the jar holds 24 and 9 are red, the parts have to fit inside 24. Sketch a bar with the whole on top and the known part underneath. Subtracting across zeros falls apart, so 400 - 137 sprouts strange digits. Have them check with addition: the answer plus 137 has to rebuild 400.

Common questions about addition & subtraction word problems

Why mix addition and subtraction on one page?: Because a page of all-addition lets kids stop reading. When either sign can be right, the story has to be read, and that reading is the actual skill 1.OA.A.1 is after.
How many problems does the sheet have?: Five short stories, each with room to show work and an answer line. The second page is the answer key, with the equation written out for every problem.

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Aligned to Common Core 1.OA.A.1. Reviewed by the One more sheet team. Content version 240, updated September 2026.

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