Engage Students With Addition and Subtraction Number Stories

Teaching young learners to connect math to real-life situations is essential, and this addition and subtraction number stories resource makes that easier than ever. Number stories help students understand that math is all around them—when sharing toys, baking cookies, or feeding ducks—and this slide deck introduces the concept in a simple, meaningful, and visual way.

Teachers will love this addition and subtraction teaching slide deck because it scaffolds learning from introduction through guided practice to independent problem-solving. It includes Turn and Talk moments, visual prompts, click-to-reveal answers, and colorful illustrations that spark discussion and student engagement.

Creative Ways to Use This Resource When Planning How to Teach Addition and Subtraction

This slide deck offers flexible opportunities for teachers planning how to teach addition and subtraction in fun, practical, and hands-on ways. You can use it far beyond whole-class instruction. Try incorporating it into:

• Imaginative Play Corners: Place printed versions of the story slides in your kitchen/home corner or block area. Students can recreate the stories with play food, toys, or math manipulatives.

• Storytelling Circle Time: Read the number story aloud dramatically and let students vote on what might happen next. Then solve the problem using counters or drawings.
• Movement-Based Math: Have students physically “join” or “leave” a group to represent addition or subtraction. Use the slides as the prompt.

Easy, Ready-to-Use Addition and Subtraction Practice

If you’re looking for quick, reliable addition and subtraction practice, this resource is available in two convenient formats—both designed to save you prep time. You can download it as an editable PowerPoint file or Google Slides version. (Please note: Google Slides users will be prompted to make their own copy before editing.)

This resource was created by Lindsey Phillips, a teacher in Michigan and a Teach Starter Collaborator.

More Hands-On Addition and Subtraction Resources

If you’re building a bank of addition and subtraction activities, we have plenty more ready to use in your classroom:
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