Addition with Nature (Black & White) — Kindergarten

Because the rows vary, the child cannot switch off. A row of leaves, acorns and a mushroom beside a written number is a straight add-to-the-total; the next row gives the whole and a part and asks for the part still needed to make it. Both are kindergarten work — putting amounts together, and seeing the smaller numbers hiding inside a bigger one — and keeping them side by side with pictured nature things builds the flexible number sense early addition is really about.

Making a total from its parts and adding parts into a total are the same relationship seen from two directions. Kindergartners who practise both with the same nature things build the make-ten and part-whole habits later written arithmetic leans on, and because the amounts stay small, every answer is still something the child can check by counting the pictures.

Children who like nature (black & white) enjoy the change of pace from row to row, and it works well for a small group ready to think in more than one direction. When the numbers feel easy, count a fresh group in addition with everyday objects (black & white), or try addition with sea creatures (black & white). You can also browse every addition worksheet or the whole nature things collection for kindergarten — each sheet prints cleanly in black and white or plays online for free.