Math strategies

When I learned how to add as a child, I never ever shared what was happening in my mind.  If the teacher said "How much is 7 add 4?"  I didn't say that in my mind I was adding 7 and 3, because I knew all the combinations to 10, then added one more to make 11.  I only shared the answer.

That's the biggest difference in how math is taught in the beginning grades now.  We share our strategies, or the way that our mind thinks.  By the end of Grade One, the students were to know their doubles (1+1, 2+2, etc.)  We use that knowledge now in basic addition and subtraction, and are working to use those facts to help with questions that are 'near doubles.'

Here is an example of a near double:  7 + 5

Think:  I could take one from the 7 and put it with the 5, that's the same as 6 + 6....I know that one, it's 12 so 7 + 5 is also 12!

The students are going to be focusing on a variety of strategies over the next few weeks.  Do they need to use all of them?  No, that is not the purpose.  All of these strategies are introduced so that each child can decide which one or ones work best for their brains.  They need to see them all, and try them all to know which ones they like to use.

Students who 'know' their basic addition and subtraction facts to/from 20, often are the ones who experience the least amount of difficulty with our next concept which will be the addition and subtraction of larger numbers.  Don't be afraid to 'quiz' your kiddos as you travel in the car, are walking through the grocery store, or are waiting at the doctor's office.  It truly is a case of 'use it of lose it'....the more practise, the better those facts stick in their brain.

In the end, knowing the facts is what we want the kiddos to do!

Here are some photos of the students working with each other of playing some math games related to the math strategy that we are practising.

 That's the other difference between when I was a student and what the kids are doing now.  I did pages and pages and pages of math equations.  Today students really get to 'use' the numbers, literally playing with them.  This makes them less afraid, and solidifies how those strategies help them to WIN!!

Do they do math equations?  Yes, but only when they have had lots of hands on practise.  That way, the paper and pencil tasks are an opportunity to 'show what you know'.