This worksheet uses directed number counters to make sense of addition with positive and negative numbers.

Students are first introduced to the concept of +1 and - 1 making a ‘zero’ pair before being asked to state the value of 4 sets of counters.

In section B, pupils are guided through addition as they match up sets of counters with the correct calculations and answers.

Next, students have 7 questions to answer independently but are still encouraged to draw the counters. This is until, in section C, they articulate anything they have noticed when adding these numbers.

Section E has 20 questions for students to practice this skill.

Our worksheet finishes with a puzzle where students will use a set of numbers to make eight correct addition statements.