Overview

When using the strategy overshoot and return, students jump forward or backward to the nearest decade number, then take jumps of 10; or jump forwards or backwards by 10's from where they are. For example, to add 34 + 18 a child might think 34, 44, 54 (take mental jumps of 10) and land on 54 and subtract 2 to compensate for the 2 they added when making their initial jump of 20.

Supporting Students using 'Overshoot and Return'

Using number lines will support students using the overshoot and return strategy.  As well, providing a context in which students can understand the problem and ‘act it out’ will make this strategy more accessible to students.  For example: 64 people were on a bus.  30 got off at a popular spot.  How many are left on the bus? The same question could then be posed for 64 - 29 and discuss how overshoot and return could be an efficient strategy for this problem.

As well, providing a sequence of questions can lead students to the overshoot and return strategy.  For example, use 64-30 before 64-29.