Addition with Things That Fly — Kindergarten

Addition starts as a counting story, and that is just what each row tells: here are some kites, planes and a balloon, here are some more, how many altogether? The child counts the first group, counts on through the second, and writes the total in the empty box. With the amounts kept small and every one of the flying things shown as a picture, the meaning of the plus sign — two groups becoming one — is something a kindergartner can see, not only be told.

Before written sums make sense, addition has to happen with things a child can see and move. Joining a group of flying things to another group and finding the total builds the part-and-whole idea — that two smaller amounts make one larger one — which is the concrete ground every later written method is built on.

Children who enjoy things that fly take to this one quickly, and it works just as well as a quiet morning task or a count-along on the board. When the set feels easy, count a different collection in addition with tools, or try addition with zoo animals. You can also browse every addition worksheet or the whole flying things collection for kindergarten — each sheet prints cleanly in black and white or plays online for free.