NumihanaThere are 12 counters. 0 are added. How many are there now?
Answer: ________________
LEARN, PRINT & PRACTISE
One-step addition and subtraction stories.
Represent a one-step story with counters and a matching addition.
Numihana · England Year 1
One-step addition and subtraction stories
Practice sheet
Name: ______________
Date: ______________
Represent a one-step story with counters and a matching addition.
There are 10 counters. 2 are removed. How many are there now?
××
Answer: ________________
There are 8 counters. 8 are removed. How many are there now?
××××××××
Answer: ________________
There are 12 counters. 9 are removed. How many are there now?
×××××××××
Answer: ________________
There are 4 counters. 15 are added. How many are there now?
Answer: ________________
There are 0 counters. 0 are removed. How many are there now?
Answer: ________________
Numihana · England Year 1
One-step addition and subtraction stories
Answer key
Name: ______________
Date: ______________
Represent a one-step story with counters and a matching addition.
There are 12 counters. 0 are added. How many are there now?
Answer: 12
There are 10 counters. 2 are removed. How many are there now?
××
Answer: 8
There are 8 counters. 8 are removed. How many are there now?
××××××××
Answer: 0
There are 12 counters. 9 are removed. How many are there now?
×××××××××
Answer: 3
There are 4 counters. 15 are added. How many are there now?
Answer: 19
There are 0 counters. 0 are removed. How many are there now?
Answer: 0
Adjust worksheet
PRINT IN BULK · UP TO 30 WORKSHEETS
Create a worksheet pack
Prepare several days of practice in one go, then print or save a PDF.
Keep the same topic and difficulty, with a different problem set on each worksheet. Questions can repeat for practice.
Handwrite on screen
Use a tablet to write directly on the worksheet and mark it with a red pen.
Pen or finger · saved on this device · no sign-in
The skill behind this activity
Represent a one-step story with counters and a matching addition.
Department for Education: mathematics programmes of study ↗
Year 1 → Number → Addition and subtraction · Selected statutory skill. Pack 2.2.0 · source checked 2026-10-12.
For teachers and parents
Model the starting quantity and the change with counters. Add when more arrive and subtract when some leave; check the result stays within twenty.
A common slip
Choose the operation from what happens to the quantities, not a single keyword.
Worked example
There are 0 counters. 0 are removed. How many are there now?
Answer: 0
Model the starting quantity and the change with counters. Add when more arrive and subtract when some leave; check the result stays within twenty.