Grade 1•Math skills checklist

What should a 1st grader know in math?

The complete grade 1 math skills checklist

First grade builds the foundation for all future math learning. Students learn to count to 100, add and subtract within 20, understand place value, and tell time. Strong number sense developed this year is critical for success.

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Counting & Number Sense

Count to 100

Count orally by ones and tens to 100.

Examples: 1, 2, 3... 98, 99, 100, 10, 20, 30... 100

Count on from any number

Start counting from any number, not just 1.

Examples: Start at 23: 23, 24, 25, 26..., Count back from 15

Write numbers to 120

Read and write numerals correctly.

Examples: Write "forty-seven" as 47, Read 83 as "eighty-three"

Compare numbers using >, <, =

Compare two-digit numbers and use symbols.

Examples: 34 < 43, 25 = 25, 67 > 59

Addition & Subtraction

Add within 10

Know addition facts to 10 fluently.

Examples: 3 + 5 = 8, 7 + 2 = 9, 4 + 4 = 8

Subtract within 10

Know subtraction facts to 10 fluently.

Examples: 9 - 4 = 5, 8 - 3 = 5, 10 - 6 = 4

Add within 20

Add two numbers with sums up to 20.

Examples: 8 + 7 = 15, 9 + 6 = 15, 12 + 5 = 17

Subtract within 20

Subtract within 20 using strategies.

Examples: 15 - 7 = 8, 13 - 5 = 8, 18 - 9 = 9

Understand equals sign

Know that = means "the same as."

Examples: 8 = 3 + 5, 7 + 2 = 6 + 3, True or false: 5 + 3 = 9

Place Value

Understand tens and ones

Know that two-digit numbers are made of tens and ones.

Examples: 34 = 3 tens and 4 ones, 50 = 5 tens and 0 ones

Use ten as a unit

Bundle objects into groups of 10.

Examples: 23 is 2 groups of ten and 3 extra, Count 10, 20, 30 then 31, 32

Add within 100 (no regrouping)

Add tens to tens and ones to ones.

Examples: 23 + 10 = 33, 45 + 20 = 65

Telling Time

Tell time to the hour

Read analog clocks showing exact hours.

Examples: 3:00 - the short hand points to 3, long hand to 12

Tell time to the half hour

Read clocks showing half past the hour.

Examples: 4:30 - the long hand points to 6

Understand hour and minute hands

Know which hand shows hours and which shows minutes.

Examples: Short hand = hours, Long hand = minutes

Measurement & Geometry

Compare lengths

Compare objects as longer, shorter, or the same.

Examples: Which pencil is longer?, Order objects by length

Measure with objects

Measure length using non-standard units.

Examples: The book is 6 paper clips long

Identify shapes

Recognize and name common 2D and 3D shapes.

Examples: Circle, square, triangle, rectangle, Cube, cone, cylinder

Compose shapes

Put shapes together to make new shapes.

Examples: Two triangles make a square, Build with pattern blocks

Where grade 1 students often struggle

  • Reversing numbers when writing (21 instead of 12)
  • Counting on: starting the count at the first number instead of after
  • Confusing addition and subtraction when reading word problems
  • Mixing up the hour and minute hands on a clock
  • Not understanding that 10 ones = 1 ten

Signs your child is on track

  • Counts to 100 without hesitation
  • Knows addition facts within 10 automatically
  • Uses "make a ten" strategy for adding within 20
  • Reads two-digit numbers correctly
  • Tells time to the hour and half hour on analog clocks

Coming in grade 2

Mastering these grade 1 skills prepares your child for:

Addition and subtraction within 100
Place value to 1000
Telling time to 5-minute intervals
Money: counting coins and making change
Introduction to multiplication as repeated addition
Measuring with rulers

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