Strategies

ADDITION DOUBLES: The first basic strategy is doubles. You should start with 3+3, 4+4, 5+5, 6+6, review easier doubles and work into harder ones 7+7, 8+8, 9+9. Some ways to remember these are both hands equal 5+5, 6+6 equals a dozen, 8+8 equals rows in a crayon box. You can also use dominoes so the doubles can be seen visually.

0+0, 1+1, 2+2, 3+3, 4+4, 5+5, 6+6, 7+7, 8+8, 9+9

ADDITION DOUBLES PLUS ONE: Next the children learn to add one to doubles. Use chips, buttons, or some type of marker to show visually the relationship (5+6 is the same as 5+5 plus one more).

1+2, 2+3, 3+4, 4+5, 5+6, 6+7, 7+8, 8+9, 9+8, 8+7, 7+6, 6+5, 5+4, 4+3, 3+2, 2+1

Explain the commutative property at this time 4+5=9, and 5+4=9. Review by writing all the doubles and doubles plus one on index cards and have your child sort them according to the rule.

ADDITION SHARING NUMBERS: Sharing numbers refers to addition facts whose addends differ by two. This activity relies upon the knowledge of doubles. Use chips or buttons as manipulatives so the child can visually see the relationship and have an understanding of why this works. Discuss what they see noting that one side has two more than the other. Ask, "How can we even things up?" Show your child that by sharing, the numbers can be even. Example, 7+5 can be turned into a double they already know by taking one from 7 and giving it to 5, making 6+6. If the difference between the two numbers is 2, take one from the greater number and give it to the lesser number.

0+2, 1+3, 2+4, 3+5, 4+6, 5+7, 6+8, 7+9, 8+6, 9+7, 7+5, 6+4, 4+2, 3+1, 2+0,

ADDITION OF 10 + A NUMBER is a pattern children learn quickly. 10+3, 10+7, etc.. You may use a dime and 1 to 9 pennies to demonstrate what happens when you add 10 plus a number less than 10. This ability must be mastered before proceeding to addition with 9.

ADDITION NINE FACTS: We have already learned strategies for some facts involving nine, 9+9 (doubles), 8+9 (double + one) 7+9 (sharing number). Children can now learn it is easier to add 10+3 than 9+4, so demonstrate how they can take one from the number being added to 9 and regroup to 10 to make an easier combination.

9+1, 9+2, 9+3, 9+4, 9+5, 9+6, 9+7, 9+8, 9+9,

LAST TEN FACTS: Only ten facts left to be learned 2+(5,6,7,8); 3+(6,7,8); 4+(7,8) and 5+8. Children can easily get these answers by adding up points on the lower numbers 2, 3, 4, and 5. Take the higher number and add up; for example, in the problem 5 + 3, say 5 and count up 3 more. The number "2" has 2 points, "3" has 3 points, and "4" has 4 points that can be utilized quickly to count up.