Addition within 20, step by step

Addition within 20 is where children move past counting fingers and start using strategies.

The question

8 + 4

8+4
8+2=10
4=2+2
10+2=12
  1. 8 + 4. Both are under ten and the answer is not, so the crossing is the whole of the work — and ten is the easy place to cross at.
  2. 8 is 2 short of ten. Take that 2 out of the 4: 8 + 2 = 10, and 2 of the 4 is still to come.
  3. Ten and 2 is easy to see: 8 + 4 = 12.

How it works.

  1. 01

    8 + 4. Both are under ten and the answer is not, so the crossing is the whole of the work — and ten is the easy place to cross at.

  2. 02

    8 is 2 short of ten. Take that 2 out of the 4: 8 + 2 = 10, and 2 of the 4 is still to come.

  3. 03

    Ten and 2 is easy to see: 8 + 4 = 12.