Single-Digit Addition Worksheets

    Free printable addition worksheets for kindergarten through grade 2. Master basic addition facts from 1+1 to 9+9.

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    Easy: Sums to 10 | Medium: Sums to 15 | Hard: Sums to 20

    Building Strong Addition Foundations

    Single-digit addition is the foundation of all arithmetic. When students master these basic facts, they can solve more complex problems without having to count on fingers or use manipulatives. Automatic recall of addition facts frees up mental energy for higher-level thinking.

    Grade K-1: Addition Within 10

    Young learners start with small numbers (1-5) and work up to sums of 10. They use:

    • Counting on fingers
    • Counters and manipulatives
    • Number lines
    • Counting on (7+2: "seven... eight, nine")

    Grade 1-2: Addition Within 20

    Students progress to larger sums and learn strategies like:

    • Making 10 (8+5: think 8+2+3 = 10+3 = 13)
    • Doubles facts (6+6, 7+7, 8+8)
    • Doubles plus one (7+8 = 7+7+1 = 15)
    • Commutative property (3+7 = 7+3)

    Key Addition Strategies to Teach

    1. Counting On (Not Counting All)

    Instead of counting "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7" then "1, 2" then "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9" for 7+2, teach students to start at 7 and count on: "seven... eight, nine." This is much faster and more efficient.

    2. Doubles Facts

    Doubles are easy to remember: 1+1=2, 2+2=4, 3+3=6, 4+4=8, 5+5=10, 6+6=12, 7+7=14, 8+8=16, 9+9=18. Once kids know doubles, they can use them to figure out "near doubles" like 7+8 (one more than 7+7).

    3. Making 10

    For sums crossing 10 (like 8+5), break one number apart to make 10 first: 8+5 = 8+2+3 = 10+3 = 13. This strategy is powerful for mental math and is used in many international math curricula.

    4. Addition Fact Families

    Teach related facts together: 3+5=8, 5+3=8, 8-3=5, 8-5=3. This helps students see relationships between addition and subtraction and reduces the number of facts to memorize.

    Practice Tips for Parents

    🎯 Daily 10-Minute Drills

    Short, focused practice is better than long sessions. Print a worksheet and set a timer for 10 minutes each morning or after school.

    🎲 Make It a Game

    Roll two dice and add them. Play addition war with cards. Race to finish a worksheet. Fun practice leads to faster learning!

    ⭐ Celebrate Milestones

    When your child masters all doubles, celebrate! When they can add to 10 fluently, reward their effort. Positive reinforcement builds confidence.

    📈 Track Progress

    Keep a folder of completed worksheets. Seeing the stack grow shows your child how much they've accomplished and motivates continued practice.

    Ready for 2-Digit Addition?

    Once your child has mastered single-digit addition, they're ready to tackle 2-digit problems!

    Try 2-Digit Addition Worksheets →