Free Printable Year 2 Addition and Subtraction Strategies Worksheets

About This Year 2 Maths Topic

In Year 2, children move beyond counting every object from one. They develop flexible strategies for solving addition and subtraction problems involving one- and two-digit numbers.

The aim is not to teach one fixed method for every calculation. Children learn to examine the numbers, select a helpful strategy and explain how the strategy works.

For example, a child may solve 7 + 8 using:

• a known double: 7 + 7 = 14, then add 1;
• bridging to 10: 7 + 3 = 10, then add the remaining 5;
• a number line: begin at 8 and count on 7;
• part-part-whole reasoning: split 8 into 3 and 5.

Children also represent problems using number sentences and bar models. These representations help them connect the numbers, operations and real-life situation.

These activities support Australian Curriculum Version 9.0 content descriptor AC9M2N04 and its associated elaborations.

The Big Idea for Parents

A calculation may be solved in several correct ways. The most helpful strategy depends on the numbers.

For example:

• 19 + 6 may be solved by bridging to 20;
• 24 + 25 may be solved using near doubles;
• 63 − 20 may be solved by subtracting 2 tens;
• 52 − 19 may be solved by subtracting 20 and adding 1 back.

Learning Intentions

Children will learn to:

• add one- and two-digit numbers;
• subtract one- and two-digit numbers;
• use part-part-whole reasoning;
• use known doubles and near doubles;
• bridge to 10 and bridge to the next ten;
• partition numbers into tens and ones;
• rearrange addends to make calculations easier;
• use informal written jottings;
• represent problems using number sentences;
• represent problems using bar models;
• use number lines and hundreds charts;
• move forwards and backwards in tens and ones;
• recognise addition and subtraction as related operations;
• recognise that adding zero does not change a number;
• explain and justify a chosen calculation strategy.

Student Success Criteria

Key Vocabulary

Teacher Guide for Parents

Teachers usually begin with materials, drawings and familiar number relationships before expecting children to calculate mentally.

At home, follow this sequence: understand the story, represent it, choose a strategy, calculate and explain.

1. Begin with the Problem Situation

Before calculating, ask your child what is happening in the problem.

Is the situation:

• joining two quantities;
• adding more to a starting amount;
• taking an amount away;
• finding how many remain;
• comparing two quantities;
• finding a missing part?

2. Review Part-Part-Whole Reasoning

A whole can be separated into two or more parts. Addition joins the parts to find the whole. Subtraction may begin with the whole and find a missing part.

For example:

• 7 and 8 are the parts;
• 15 is the whole;
• 7 + 8 = 15;
• 15 − 7 = 8;
• 15 − 8 = 7.

3. Use Doubles

Doubles are useful known facts:

• 4 + 4 = 8;
• 6 + 6 = 12;
• 8 + 8 = 16;
• 10 + 10 = 20.

Practise doubles with counters, ten-frames, dominoes and pairs of objects.

Encourage your child to explain: “I know 7 + 7 is 14 because it is a double.”

4. Use Near Doubles

A near double has two numbers that are close together.

For 7 + 8:

• double 7 is 14;
• 8 is one more than 7;
• 14 + 1 = 15.

The thinking can be recorded as:

7 + 8 = 7 + 7 + 1 = 15

5. Bridge to 10

Bridging to 10 uses combinations that make 10.

For 7 + 8:

1. 7 needs 3 to make 10;
2. partition 8 into 3 and 5;
3. 7 + 3 = 10;
4. 10 + 5 = 15.

Record:

7 + 8 = 7 + 3 + 5 = 15

6. Bridge to the Next Ten

The same idea works with two-digit numbers.

For 28 + 7:

1. 28 needs 2 to make 30;
2. partition 7 into 2 and 5;
3. 28 + 2 = 30;
4. 30 + 5 = 35.

This strategy is often easier than counting on 7 individual steps.

7. Partition Two-Digit Numbers

Partition each number into tens and ones.

For 34 + 25:

• 34 = 30 + 4;
• 25 = 20 + 5;
• 30 + 20 = 50;
• 4 + 5 = 9;
• 50 + 9 = 59.

Encourage your child to record only the jottings needed to keep track of the calculation.

8. Use Bridging and Partitioning Together

For 56 + 37:

• 5 tens + 3 tens = 8 tens;
• 6 + 7 can be solved by bridging to 10;
• 6 + 4 + 3 = 13;
• 8 tens + 13 ones = 9 tens and 3 ones;
• the answer is 93.

9. Use Informal Written Jottings

Jottings help children keep track of mental thinking. They are not intended to become a rigid written algorithm.

For 47 + 26, a child may record:

• 47 + 20 = 67;
• 67 + 6 = 73.

Another child may record:

• 40 + 20 = 60;
• 7 + 6 = 13;
• 60 + 13 = 73.

Both methods are correct when the child can explain the steps.

10. Explain Adding Zero

Adding zero leaves a number unchanged:

• 8 + 0 = 8;
• 34 + 0 = 34;
• 4 ones + 0 ones = 4 ones.

When calculating 34 + 20:

• 3 tens + 2 tens = 5 tens;
• 4 ones + 0 ones = 4 ones;
• 50 + 4 = 54.

11. Use Bar Models

A bar model shows the relationship between the parts and the whole.

For the story: “Mia has 24 stickers and receives 17 more. How many does she have altogether?”

Draw one bar for 24 and another connected bar for 17. The total length represents the unknown whole.

Write the matching number sentence:

24 + 17 = 41

12. Connect Number Sentences to the Story

Ask your child to explain the meaning of every number and symbol.

For example:

100 − 38 − 15 = 47

• 100 is the starting gift-card amount;
• 38 is the cost of the shoes;
• 15 is the cost of the shirt;
• 47 is the amount remaining.

Children should understand the connection rather than copy a number sentence without meaning.

13. Use an Open Number Line

An open number line has no fixed scale. Children mark only the numbers they need.

For 46 + 27:

• start at 46;
• jump forward 20 to 66;
• jump forward 7 to 73.

For 73 − 26:

• start at 73;
• jump back 20 to 53;
• jump back 6 to 47.

14. Use a Hundreds Chart

On a hundreds chart:

• moving right adds 1;
• moving left subtracts 1;
• moving down adds 10;
• moving up subtracts 10.

For 38 + 24:

• begin at 38;
• move down 2 rows to add 20 and reach 58;
• move right 4 spaces to reach 62.

15. Connect Addition and Subtraction

Addition and subtraction are related.

If:

35 + 27 = 62

then:

• 62 − 35 = 27;
• 62 − 27 = 35.

Use fact families, part-part-whole models and bar models to make this relationship visible.

Recommended Teaching Sequence at Home

1. Read and discuss the problem situation.
2. Identify the parts and the whole.
3. Represent the problem with objects, a drawing or bar model.
4. Write the matching number sentence.
5. Examine the numbers before selecting a strategy.
6. Use doubles, near doubles or bridging where helpful.
7. Partition two-digit numbers into tens and ones.
8. Use a number line or hundreds chart when needed.
9. Record brief jottings to keep track.
10. Explain and check the answer using another strategy.

Common Misconceptions and How Parents Can Help

Simple Home Activities for Addition and Subtraction

Questions Parents Can Ask

• What is happening in the problem?
• Are the quantities joining, separating or being compared?
• What is the whole?
• What are the parts?
• Which number could you start from?
• Is there a double that could help?
• Could you use a near double?
• How much is needed to reach 10?
• How much is needed to reach the next ten?
• Can you partition the number into tens and ones?
• Can you rearrange the numbers to make the calculation easier?
• What would a bar model look like?
• What number sentence matches the story?
• What does each number represent?
• Could a number line help?
• Could a hundreds chart help?
• What jottings will help you keep track?
• Can you check the answer using subtraction or addition?
• Can you solve it another way?
• Which strategy was most efficient, and why?

Mathematical Sentence Starters

Supporting Different Learners at Home

Children Who Need More Support

• begin with calculations within 20;
• use counters, ten-frames and part-part-whole mats;
• practise number bonds to 10;
• review known doubles before near doubles;
• use two-digit numbers without regrouping first;
• provide a labelled hundreds chart;
• highlight the starting number on a number line;
• use one-step word problems;
• provide partially completed bar models;
• allow oral explanations before written recording.

Children Ready for Extension

• solve calculations using more than one strategy;
• compare the efficiency of different strategies;
• solve missing-number equations;
• write related fact families;
• solve balanced equations with expressions on both sides;
• create original bar-model word problems;
• solve two-step money problems;
• work with larger two-digit numbers;
• identify and correct incorrect reasoning;
• explain when a strategy would not be efficient.

Quick Parent Check

Use these questions to check whether your child understands the main ideas.

1. Solve 7 + 8 using a near-double strategy.
2. Solve 8 + 6 by bridging to 10.
3. Solve 34 + 25 by partitioning tens and ones.
4. Solve 56 + 37 and explain how 13 ones are regrouped.
5. Draw a bar model for 24 + 17.
6. Write a number sentence matching the bar model.
7. Solve 73 − 26 using an open number line.
8. Use a hundreds chart to solve 38 + 24.
9. Explain why 46 + 0 remains 46.
10. Write the related subtraction facts for 35 + 27 = 62.

A child shows secure understanding when they can select a sensible strategy, find the answer and explain how the strategy connects to the numbers.

Quick Exit Ticket

1. Solve 9 + 7 using bridging to 10.
2. Solve 42 + 31 using tens and ones.
3. Draw a bar model and number sentence for a subtraction story.

Printable Teacher, Parent and Student Resources

Use the buttons below to open the AC9M2N04 teaching materials and printable worksheets in a new browser tab.

Resources open in a new tab. Browser PDF settings may determine whether a file opens in the browser or downloads automatically.

Home Learning Summary

Short, regular conversations about calculation strategies are more valuable than asking children to complete a long list of calculations without explaining their thinking.

Use this simple routine:

1. read the problem;
2. identify the parts and whole;
3. choose a suitable representation;
4. select an efficient strategy;
5. record brief jottings;
6. explain and check the answer.

Related Foundation and Year 1 Maths Topics

Children who need additional support can revisit these earlier counting, partitioning and addition and subtraction topics.