Addition Practice: Sums Up To 15

Short lesson: How to add numbers up to 15

Pick the strategy below that you like best, you do not have to use them all

• Counting on: Start at the bigger number, then count forward by the smaller number.
  Example: 9 + 3 → start at 9, say “10, 11, 12” → answer is 12.
• Make 10: Break the second number to reach 10 first, then add the rest.
  Example: 8 + 5 → 8 + 2 = 10, 10 + 3 = 13.
• Doubles & near doubles: Use facts like 6 + 6 = 12; if it’s close, adjust by 1.
  Example: 6 + 7 → 6 + 6 = 12, then add 1 → 13.
• Number line jumps: Draw a line, start at the first number, make small jumps for the second number.
  Example: 4 + 9 → start at 4, jump 6 to reach 10, then jump 3 → 13.

Tip: For sums up to 15, it’s fastest to start at the larger number and “count on” or “make 10.”

Warm‑up facts

Practice set A: Keep sums ≤ 15

Practice set B: Add to totals near 15

Hint: If a sum goes past 15, re‑check your numbers—this set is designed to stay at or under 15.

Word problems

1. Apples: You have 7 apples and pick 5 more. How many apples do you have now? ____
2. Blocks: There are 9 blocks on the table and 6 more in a box. How many blocks in total? ____
3. Steps: You climbed 8 steps, then 4 more. How many steps did you climb? ____

Answer key

Teacher/Parent notes

• Skill focus: Fluency with sums to 15, decomposing to 10, doubles/near‑doubles.
• Use manipulatives: Counters or number lines help visualize “make 10” jumps.
• Differentiate: Swap numbers to adjust difficulty; keep totals ≤ 15 to match the goal.