Addition Strategies

We have been working our our addition facts a lot lately.  I have introduced some strategies to help students with their speed and memorization. We have practiced +0 and +1.  We have also worked on the “doubles” (2+2, 6+6, 8+8, etc.)  If these facts can be memorized they will be helpful for “Next Door Neighbor” facts.

“Next Door Neighbor” facts are math problems where the addends are numbers that would be next to each other on a number line. (Examples: 2+3, 5+6,  8+7, etc.)  There are 2 “Next door Neighbors” in every pack of flashcards so this is a good strategy to practice.  To solve these facts quickly you follow two steps.

1. Double the smaller number.

2. Add one more.

 

Examples:  4+5  [4+4=8, one more makes 9]              7+6  [6+6=12, one more makes 13]

Encourage your child to say “Doubles” or “Next Door Neighbor” as you flash the flashcard to them.  Recognizing when to use a strategy is as important as knowing how to use the strategy.