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Basic Operations Resources

35 basic operations resources: 23 activities and 12 worksheets. How teachers use these

Basic Operations Resources

35 basic operations resources: 23 activities and 12 worksheets. How teachers use these

Worksheet
Worksheet2nd GradeAddition and Subtraction Word Problems Worksheet

This addition and subtraction word problems worksheet gives 2nd graders four real-world number stories to solve within 100. It includes a complete answer key, making it perfect for no-prep math practice at home or in the classroom.

Worksheet
Worksheet1st GradeWord Problem Practice Worksheet

This word problem practice worksheet gives 1st graders five real-life addition and subtraction problems to solve within 20. An answer key is included, so checking work takes seconds.

Worksheet
Worksheet2nd GradeAdd and Subtract 10 and 100 Word Problems Worksheet

Practice this add and subtract 10 and 100 word problems worksheet with three number stories and a 10 more, 10 less, 100 more, 100 less chart. Built for 2nd Grade with an answer key included, so mental math clicks fast.

Worksheet
Worksheet3rd GradeMeasurement Word Problems Worksheet

This measurement word problems worksheet gives 3rd Grade students five story problems to solve by adding or subtracting, then labeling each answer with its unit. Answer key included.

Activity
Activity3rd GradeDoghouse Division Activity

This doghouse division activity has 3rd to 5th grade students match puppy division cards to doghouse answer cards, then check with multiplication. Answer key included.

Worksheet
Worksheet3rd GradeTrue Math Sentences Worksheet

This True Math Sentences Worksheet asks 3rd graders to balance eight number sentences, judge four more as true or false, and explain one answer. Answer key included for quick, no-prep equality practice.

Worksheet
Worksheet3rd GradeMultiples of Ten Word Problems Worksheet

This multiples of ten word problems worksheet gives 3rd grade students a snack menu and four problems to solve, with work boxes and a full answer key, so multiplying by tens makes sense.

Worksheet
Worksheet4th GradeMultiples of Ten Worksheet

This Multiples of Ten Worksheet gives 4th graders pattern practice with x 1, x 10, and x 100, plus multiplying by multiples of ten. An answer key is included, so checking work takes seconds.

Activity
Activity3rd GradeSolving Division Activity

This solving division activity has 3rd and 4th grade students match equation cards to answer cards to find missing numbers in multiplication and division facts. Answer key included for quick checking.

Activity
Activity2nd GradeAdding and Subtracting to 1000 Activity

Children solve three-digit addition and subtraction problems with regrouping and fit each problem to its answer in 12 self-checking puzzles. For 2nd and 3rd grade; work sheet, practice page and answer key included.

Worksheet
Worksheet2nd GradeAdding and Subtracting Number Stories Worksheet

Adding and Subtracting Number Stories Worksheet gives 2nd grade students four number stories to read, a sign box to choose add or subtract, and a box for each answer. An answer key is included.

Activity
Activity3rd GradeSolving Multiplication Activity

This solving multiplication activity has students match equation cards to answer cards to find the unknown number. Made for 3rd-4th grade with a practice page and answer key included.

Activity
Activity4th GradeFall into Multiplication Activity

This fall into multiplication activity has 4th and 5th graders solve pumpkin problems with area models and match each product to a leaf. Answer key included.

Worksheet
Worksheet2nd GradeNumber Stories Adding and Subtracting Worksheet

This Number Stories Adding and Subtracting Worksheet gives 2nd Grade students four two-digit word problems to read, label with the right sign, and solve. An answer key is included.

Activity
Activity1st GradeBarnyard Math Word Problems Activity

This barnyard math word problems activity gives 1st-2nd grade students farm word problem cards, a draw-it sheet and a tic-tac-toe game. An answer key is included.

Activity
Activity2nd GradeLet's Go Shopping Money Word Problems Activity

This Let's Go Shopping Money Word Problems Activity lets 2nd and 3rd Grade students solve toy store word problems with coins and bills, with an answer key included, so money skills feel real.

Activity
Activity3rd GradeMultiplying by Tens Activity

This multiplying by tens activity is a base-ten card matching game for 3rd and 4th grade, with a recording sheet and practice page. Answer key included for quick checking.

Activity
Activity4th GradeFun at the Beach Multiplication Activity

This fun at the beach multiplication activity for 4th-5th grade has students match word problems, tape diagrams, and comparison statements, with a practice page and answer key included.

Activity
Activity2nd GradeMystery Monster Math Unknown Factors Activity

Using this Mystery Monster Math Unknown Factors Activity, students understand division as an unknown factor problem to build multiplication fact fluency.

Activity
Activity3rd GradeReal World Word Problems Activity

This real world word problems activity helps 3rd and 4th grade students match two-step farm word problems to equations and solve them. A recording sheet, practice page and answer key are included.

From our teachers' playbook

Add, subtract, multiply, divide!

What do kids learn about basic operations?

The four operations are the toolbox of elementary math. Kids start with addition and subtraction as joining and taking apart, then learn they're opposites: if 8 + 5 = 13, then 13 − 5 = 8. In 3rd grade, multiplication arrives as equal groups and division as fair sharing, also opposites. Along the way, kids solve number stories, check whether math sentences are true, and explain why a strategy works. The click comes when a student picks the right operation for a story problem without a key word.

Our favorite ways to teach operations

Understanding why an operation works matters as much as getting the answer.

Explain why it works

After solving, ask kids to prove their answer to a partner with a drawing, a number line or objects. "I know 13 − 5 is 8 because 8 + 5 is 13." Talking about the why builds the connections between operations.

Why it works: when kids say the precise math words, their understanding gets sharper, a recommendation of the U.S. Department of Education's elementary math guide.

Explaining Why Addition and Subtraction Works WorksheetTry it withExplaining Why Addition and Subtraction Works WorksheetWorksheetsOpen it →

Share it fairly

Give kids counters and paper dog houses and ask them to share 12 dogs among 3 houses. Fair sharing makes division concrete before any symbols. Then write the matching multiplication fact too.

Why it works: going from real objects to pictures to symbols is a core recommendation of the U.S. Department of Education's elementary math guide.

Doghouse Division ActivityTry it withDoghouse Division ActivityActivitiesOpen it →

Mix the stories

Once kids know more than one operation, mix them on the same page. A page of only subtraction lets kids skip the thinking. Mixed practice makes them read each problem and choose.

Why it works: shuffled practice teaches kids to choose the right strategy, not just repeat one, and it improved test scores in research (Rohrer and Taylor, 2007).

Word Problem Practice WorksheetTry it withWord Problem Practice WorksheetWorksheetsOpen it →

Questions parents and teachers ask

What are the four basic operations in math?

Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Addition and subtraction are opposites, and so are multiplication and division.

In what order do kids learn the operations?

Addition and subtraction come first, usually in kindergarten through 2nd grade. Multiplication and division are the big focus in 3rd grade and grow through 5th.

How do I help my child choose the right operation?

Ask them to tell the story in their own words and draw it. Are things joining, separating, in equal groups or being shared? The situation tells you the operation.

What are fact families?

Sets of related facts using the same three numbers, like 3 + 5 = 8, 5 + 3 = 8, 8 − 3 = 5 and 8 − 5 = 3. They show how operations connect.

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