Grade K · Operations & Algebraic Thinking
Addition Means Putting Together
Model addition by joining two groups and counting the combined total.
Join two groups
Start with one group, bring in another group, then count everything. The combined amount is the sum.
An equation records the story
If you have 3 blocks and add 2 more, the story can be written 3 + 2 = 5.
Key terms
Words to know
- Add
- Put quantities together.
- Plus sign
- The symbol + that tells us quantities are being added.
- Sum
- The total after quantities are added.
- Equation
- A mathematical statement containing an equals sign.
Interactive math lab · 🍎 apples
Change it. See it. Understand it.
Put two groups of apples together and watch the sum update.
| First group | 3 |
|---|---|
| Second group | 2 |
| Sum | 5 |
Worked examples
See the idea in action.
Join a group of three and a group of two to make five.
Adding one moves the quantity forward by one.
Guided practice
Work through 20 questions, one step at a time.
Choose an answer, check your reasoning, then move forward. Your score updates as you go.
What is 3 + 5?
Curriculum reference
Built as a continuous K–12 progression.
The sequence follows widely used K–12 mathematics progressions and references the Common Core mathematics framework. Explanations, examples, interactive models, and practice questions are original FreeLearnHub material.