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This Mixed Add Subtract drill has 40 problems for Grade 1. Phoenixes theme. Answer key included.
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Max discovered 8 phoenix eggs hidden in the volcano! He must solve math problems to return them safely before they hatch!
Standard: CCSS.MATH.1.OA.C.6
Preview
Page 1 — Drill
Page 2 — Answer Key
What's Included
About this Grade 1 Mixed Add Subtract Drill
Mixed addition and subtraction problems help Grade 1 students develop flexible thinking about numbers and operations. At ages 6-7, children are building the foundation for all future math by learning that numbers can be combined in different ways and taken apart. When your child solves a problem like "5 + 2 - 1," they're practicing number sense, strengthening their ability to track multiple steps, and building confidence with both operations in a single problem. This skill mirrors real-world scenarios—like when a child has 5 toys, gets 2 more, then loses 1—where situations naturally involve both adding and subtracting. These mixed drills also prepare students to recognize that addition and subtraction are related, which deepens their mathematical reasoning. By practicing these problems regularly, students move beyond simply memorizing facts and develop strategic thinking that will support multiplication, division, and algebra later on.
What your student will practice
- Solve mixed addition and subtraction problems within 10 accurately
- Recognize when to add versus subtract based on problem language
- Complete multi-step problems by tracking operations in order
- Build automaticity with combined operations for faster mental math
Common mistakes to watch for
Many Grade 1 students forget to complete the second operation and stop after adding or subtracting once. For example, when solving "6 + 2 - 3," a child might write 8 and stop, missing the subtraction step entirely. Another common error is reversing the order of operations—subtracting first when they should add, or vice versa. You'll spot this when the child's answer doesn't match the problem structure. A third frequent mistake is losing track of the starting number after the first operation, especially in problems with larger starting numbers. Listen for confusion in how the child describes their steps aloud.
Play a "number story" game during everyday moments: "You have 4 crackers, I give you 3 more, then you eat 2. How many do you have left?" Start with small numbers (totals under 10) and act it out with physical objects like blocks, buttons, or snacks. Have your child touch each item as they count, add the new group, then remove items as they subtract. This concrete, hands-on approach helps them see why the operations happen in order and prevents the abstract confusion that comes from pencil-and-paper alone.