Max Rescues Ships: Lighthouse Keeper Math Quest

About this Grade 1 Mixed Add Subtract Drill

Mixed addition and subtraction—solving problems that include both operations in one step—builds a critical foundation for flexible thinking in math. At age 6-7, children are developing the ability to hold multiple pieces of information in their minds and work through them in sequence. This skill moves students beyond simple counting and toward real problem-solving: if a lighthouse keeper has 5 boats and gets 3 more, then 2 sail away, how many remain? These problems teach students that numbers are flexible tools, not fixed objects. Working with mixed operations also strengthens number sense and prepares children for multi-step thinking they'll need throughout elementary math. When students practice these drills regularly, they build automaticity with small numbers, freeing up mental energy for harder concepts later.

What your student will practice

• Solve addition and subtraction problems in sequence within 10
• Identify which operation to perform first when given two operations
• Check answers by working backward or using manipulatives
• Apply mixed operations to real-world word problems

Common mistakes to watch for

Many first-graders perform only the first operation and forget the second one entirely—for example, solving 5 + 2 - 1 by stopping at 5 + 2 = 7 and writing 7 as their final answer. Others reverse the order of operations, subtracting first when addition appears first. Watch for students who write the answers to each step separately rather than finding one final answer, or who use fingers inconsistently, losing track of which numbers they've already counted. Ask them to point to each number as they work and say aloud what operation they're doing next.