Count and combine
Written by Adi Ackerman, Head Teacher
"Count and combine" is written for 1st Grade (Ages 6-7), and it covers Common Core 1.OA.C.6. If your little one is a year younger but already steady on number charts & counting, the page still works. You may just need to read the instructions out loud. And if they are older and count and combine never quite stuck, this is a short review rather than busywork.


Count both groups of animals and add to tell how many in all within 10 Part of our count and combine number charts & counting collection. Aligned to Common Core standards.
How do I use this worksheet?
Before handing out the worksheet, briefly introduce the concept with a short oral warm-up or a visual model on the board. Let students work through the first item together as a class, then finish the rest independently or with a partner, encouraging them to talk through their thinking: "What strategy are you using? How do you know that is right?" After completing the worksheet, review any missed problems together and discuss the reasoning rather than just the answer. For extra support, let students use manipulatives or draw pictures alongside the written problems. These count and combine worksheets work well as daily practice, homework, or a focused review activity.
What students will practice
- Students will recognize and apply count and combine concepts using number lines, ten-frames, and drawn models.
- Students will solve problems involving count and combine with increasing accuracy and confidence.
- Students will connect count and combine skills to real-world situations and explain their reasoning clearly.
Curriculum Links
Common Core State Standards
Operations and Algebraic Thinking · 1st Grade
Standard: Add and subtract within 20, demonstrating fluency for addition and subtraction within 10. Use strategies such as counting on; making ten; decomposing a number leading to a ten; using the relationship between addition and subtraction; and creating equivalent but easier or known sums.
View all 1.OA.C.6 worksheets →Find this in the curriculum
Browse the grade, subject, and topic this belongs to.
FAQ
How do I use this count and combine worksheet?
⌄
Before handing out the worksheet, briefly introduce the concept with a short oral warm-up or a visual model on the board. Let students work through the first item together as a class, then finish the rest independently or with a partner, encouraging them to talk through their thinking: "What strategy are you using? How do you know that is right?" After completing the worksheet, review any missed problems together and discuss the reasoning rather than just the answer. For extra support, let students use manipulatives or draw pictures alongside the written problems. These count and combine worksheets work well as daily practice, homework, or a focused review activity.
What does this worksheet teach?
⌄
These count and combine worksheets for 1st grade give students the structured, hands-on practice they need to build confidence and fluency. Students work through a range of problem formats, from visual models and diagrams to written equations and word problems, so they encounter count and combine from every angle. Each worksheet is designed to build on prior knowledge while introducing the level of challenge appropriate for 1st grade. Practicing count and combine at this stage strengthens the mathematical foundations that support more advanced concepts in later grades.
Can I use this count and combine worksheet for homeschool or classroom?
⌄
Yes, both. We made it for 1st Grade number charts & counting, and the page works the same whether it lands on a kitchen table or a center rotation. At home, most families go through it together and talk the answers out loud, and that talking is where most of the learning happens with count and combine. In class it runs well as independent work while you pull a small group. Print one copy or thirty, whichever the day needs.
How does 'count and combine' lay the groundwork for formal addition?
⌄
It introduces the concept of joining two quantities before students see the + symbol, making the abstract operation more intuitive.
What is the progression from 'count and combine' to writing addition sentences?
⌄
After combining concrete objects, students record the two groups and total as a number sentence, bridging pictorial and symbolic math.
Is 'count and combine' appropriate for students who already know addition facts?
⌄
It can be used to solidify conceptual understanding even for students who have memorized facts, grounding their knowledge in meaning.
What counting skills should a first grader have?
⌄
First graders should count to 120 starting from any number, read and write numerals to 120, and understand that the two digits of a two-digit number represent tens and ones (CCSS 1.NBT.A.1, 1.NBT.B.2). They should also skip count by 2s, 5s, and 10s.
How do number charts help first graders learn math?
⌄
A hundred chart helps students see number patterns, practice skip counting, and understand place value visually. Students can color patterns (every 5th number, every 10th number), find missing numbers, and see how numbers increase by rows and columns.
What is skip counting and why is it important in first grade?
⌄
Skip counting means counting by a number other than 1 (by 2s: 2, 4, 6, 8 or by 5s: 5, 10, 15, 20). It builds the foundation for multiplication and helps students count money and tell time. Number chart worksheets where students highlight skip counting patterns make this concept visual.
Ratings & Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share what you think.
Reviews are for ClassWeekly members.
Make a Request
Spotted something to fix, or want a worksheet we don't have yet? Tell us and we'll make it.
Worksheet Details
| Grade | 1st Grade |
| Subject | Math |
| Topic | Number Charts & Counting |
| Standard | 1.OA.C.6 |
| Pages | 1 page |
| Difficulty | Medium |
Learn More
What is ClassWeekly?
ClassWeekly offers free worksheets and printable learning resources for kids in preschool to grade 5. All worksheets are aligned to Common Core, NGSS, and C3 Framework standards and designed by educators. Become a member to access the full library and download unlimited PDFs.







