One of the trickiest concepts that we cover in 1st grade is finding a missing addend in equations! I’ll never forget my first year of teaching—explaining missing addends led to so many blank stares from my sweet first graders. I realized just how abstract this idea could feel to 6 and 7 year olds. Since then, I’ve tried many different strategies, until I found a mix of methods that truly work. Now, I’m excited to share these strategies with you to make teaching missing addends smoother and more effective for both you and your students!

Missing Addend Freebies

Want to grab some exclusive freebies perfect for introducing Missing Addend to your 1st graders? I put together some of my favorite materials from my Happy Math Curriculum for you to try out in your classroom! Find it Here!

Let’s dive into some of my favorite methods for teaching missing addends in ways that are both clear and engaging.

Missing Addend Tip 1: Focus on the Relationship between Addition and Subtraction

The #1 thing that makes teaching missing addend smooth and simple is the understanding you build before even beginning to teach the skill. From the very start of the school year, I put a huge emphasis on the relationship between addition and subtraction. I want students to understand that addition and subtraction are opposite operations.

We use a Part Part Whole Mat and Number Bonds often when learning to add and subtract. When we add, the parts join to make a whole. When we subtract we start with a whole and take part away. (The difference is the remaining part.)

We also work a TON on related facts and fact families. If I tell my students that 2+4=6, I want them to be able to quickly tell me and show me on a part part whole mat that 4+2=6, 6-2=4, and 6-4=2. If you want more lessons and activities on fact families, you can find them in my Add and Subtract math unit!

This Part Part Whole math mat is perfect for working on fact families and when introducing Missing Addend! You can find it for FREE here!

Missing Addend Tip 2: Teach the Meaning of the Equal Sign

Another essential skill for 1st graders to understand before teaching about missing addends is the meaning of the equal sign. I teach my students that the equal sign does NOT mean “Here comes the answer!” Instead, the equal sign means the SAME as. Whatever is on one side of the equal sign must be the same is on the other side.

I love using these number balances when teaching about the equal sign.

Tip 3: Make it hands-on with Missing Addend Mysteries

To add engagement to our unit and make learning hands-on, we become math detectives and solve missing addend mysteries!

I love using slides during our mini lessons to teach! It helps all students participate and stay engaged. Students also usually have dry erase boards so that we can practice problems together! You can try out one of my Math Mini Lessons for FREE here!

Here is another fun, hands-on activity I love to use when introducing missing addends in small groups! I like this activity because it’s a really good visual of the part-part-whole relationship.

Missing Addend Tip 4: Teach 2 Key Strategies

I teach my students 2 strategies for solving for a missing addend.

• Students can start at the known part and count on to see how many more is need to get to the whole.
• Students can also start at the whole and subtract the known part to find the missing part.

I like introducing these strategies together so students know that both will result in finding the same missing part.

To reinforce these strategies, I created a printable anchor chart that illustrates both methods in a simple, visual way. I recommend printing it out and displaying it in your classroom or giving each student a copy to refer to as they practice. You can grab it for free here!

Tip 5: Tons of Practice during Centers and Independent Work

Finally, we spend a ton of time during small groups and centers practicing this skill over and over! You can find all of these hands-on activities and more in my Add and Subtract 1st grade unit!

Want your entire unit planned for you? My Add and Subtract 1st Grade Math Unit includes everything you need to teach:

• Fact Families
• Missing Addends
• 3-Addend Addition
• Balancing Equations
• Word Problems

Find 5 weeks worth of teaching slides, hands-on activities for small groups and centers, anchor charts, worksheets, assessment, and more! This unit was created to make planning as EASY as possible for you while also being engaging for your sweet students! Check it out here!

These tips should provide a strong foundation for teaching missing addend in a way that’s approachable, engaging, and effective for your students! Want to learn more about how I manage math time in 1st grade? Check out this blog post!