Our fingers make great math tools! However, it's important to use mental math strategies in order to learn addition and subtraction facts with ease. Also, as the numbers get larger, you're likely to run out of fingers!

Making Tens

Learning how to make tens will make addition (and subtraction) much easier. 

For example, instead of doing 9+4 by counting on, you can break apart the 4 to make a ten. Think:

"9 and 1 more makes 10. I still need to add 3 more, so 

10 + 3 = 13."

Doubles & Doubles + 1

It is important for students to memorize basic doubles facts. It not only helps to quickly recall these addition facts but will help with skip counting and multiplication in third grade. 

Doubles facts also help students solve other facts, such as doubles + 1.

For example, a student can solve 5+6 by thinking:

6 is one more than 5. If 5 + 5 = 10, then 5 + 6 is one more, which is 11. 

Web Math Minute

Print or Online practice of basic facts

https://webmathminute.com/

It is important for students to understand the concepts of multiplication and division. Without doing so, memorizing facts is simply memorizing random groups of numbers that do not have any relationship with one another. It's like telling a student that b x r = w with no rhyme or reason. Imagine having to memorize combinations of random letters that have no real meaning! Students must first understand the concepts of multiplication and division before memorizing and practicing rote facts. 

Web Math Minute

Print or Online practice of basic facts

https://webmathminute.com/

Interactive Math Manipulatives to assist in Math learning

Virtual Manipulatives 

Skip counting is such an important foundational skill for students of all ages. It not only helps with basic addition facts, but will help students count coins, and will especially help students as they learn to multiply.

Kindergarten: skip count by 10

First grade: skip count by 5 and 10

Second grade: skip count by 2, 5, 10

Third grade: skip counting by 2, 3, 5 and 10 will especially help with multiplication.

Skip counting by 10 will also help students understand place value concepts of 10 more and 10 less.

Modeling, understanding, then memorizing multiplication facts aligns with the Concrete-Representational-Abstract theory of teaching mathematics.  Using counters to show equal groups or arrays will help students build a foundational understanding of multiplication and division.

After working with concrete models, students then work on drawing representations of multiplication or division facts. 

This can be done by showing equal groups, bar models, number lines, etc. 

These various strategies are shown on the left. 

Once students understand the concept of multiplication, it is easier to practice and memorize facts in a more abstract way.

Students can use the facts they know to help with facts they don't know. For example, students often like to multiply by 5 because they can easily skip count by 5. 

If a student is stuck on 7 x 6, they can do 7 x 5 and add another group of 7. 

7 x 5 = 35 + 7 more is 42.

7 x 6 = 42

Learning math requires practice, and making mistakes is part of the process.  The article on the left describes the three most common errors and how to address them.

An article from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics 

This is the most common question we receive from parents.

Math is no longer about memorizing and computing standard algorithms. Students are encouraged to become out-of-the-box thinkers and problem-solvers. Therefore, reading comprehension plays a huge role in student understanding of math word problems. 

Encourage your children to read every night and talk to them about what they are reading.  Use this same strategy when working with your children on math problems.

Making real-life math connections for your child will make math lessons more meaningful. A math lesson on percentages may not have been exhilarating, but getting 50% off on a gaming system at the toy store surely makes that math lesson more relevant to a child's life!

Including your child in every-day math situations will allow them to practice without even realizing it. Having them count your extra change at a cash register or encouraging them to measure the ingredients when baking a cake helps children practice math skills and understand why it is important for them to learn these various concepts in school.

Having a working knowledge of math vocabulary is important in order ot be successful in solving many math problems.