I got the idea in this free math tutoring video from Let’sPlayMath, though we changed it just a bit and didn’t use the 10 card. This game could be played alone, too. A great way to practice those number bonds of 10 which are SO important to doing mental math!
Tag Archives: subtraction
Go to the Dump Game – Free Math Tutoring Video
The game idea in this free math tutoring video comes from the RightStart math curriculum. It is basically the same as Go Fish, but the number pairs must equal 10. So, 1 and 9, 2 and 8, 3 and 7, 4 and 6, and 5 and 5 are all the pairs that can be put together. Children who don’t yet have their number bonds (facts) to 10 memorized can use Cuisenaire Rods to help them figure out which number to ask for.
Take the Face cards and 10s out of a regular deck of cards to get started. The game can also be done with numbers other than 10. Just take out of the deck all numbers larger than your target number.
Fact Families Failure – Free Math Tutoring Video
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.