A quick, free math tutoring video explaining why “fact families” are an inefficient and confusing way to help children memorize and understand addition and subtraction facts. Number bonds, or the whole/parts method, is much more understandable and easy to remember.

I remember feeling overwhelmed in elementary school by fact families. It seemed like so much to remember! I was seeing them as lots of separate pieces of information. Number bonds would have made it so much easier!

Symbols are very abstract and can be confusing to children. Pictures are much more easily stored in our minds. Take advantage of this knowledge by using Cuisenaire Rods to help teach addition and subtraction.