Homeschool Math Blog

For 1st graders (mostly)... an initial lesson about the CONNECTION between addition and subtraction:

In this video I show several strategies for learning the basic addition and subtraction facts: finding all the possible sums for a certain number; e.g. for 6, these would be 0 + 6, 1 + 5, 2 + 4, and 3 + 3; writing out all the fact families where the sum is a certain number; the 9 "trick"; 9 + 7 is the same as 10 + 6 (9 wants so badly to be 10 so that it "steals" one from 7); doubles and the accompanying addition facts; number rainbows and how to use them to practice subtraction; a structured drill for addition facts. Enjoy! Strategies for Addition and Subtraction Facts - Video

I've been doing math lessons with my 3-year old using the 100-bead abacus . Usually we do a few problems where she tells me a two-digit number to make, and I tell her a number to make, back and forth. Today she asked me to make 51, and I asked her to make 68. These went smoothly since she's getting pretty good at this now. Then we did a few "more than" problems. I said, "Let's say your sister has 5 cookies and you have one more than her . How many do you have?" This is a new concept to her, so we need to do it slowly and carefully with the abacus: first make her sister's cookies, then let her have the same amount, then give her one more. Then we did a few subtraction problems such as 7 − 4. She moved 7 beads, then "took away", or moved the other way, 4 beads. How many were left? 3 beads. I also showed her the subtraction 50 − 10 = 40. She started working on her own problem, "Let's do 9 − ..." and while she was thinki...

I have a new book to add to the Blue Series collection of worktexts: Math Mammoth Add & Subtract 4 Math Mammoth Add & Subtract 4 covers the following addition and subtraction related topics which are approximately for the third and fourth grade level: * mental addition and subtraction strategies; * adding and subtracting in columns; * Roman numerals; * the connection between addition and subtraction, missing addend problems, and solving word problems with bar diagrams; * order of operations; * bar graphs, line graphs, and money problems. Price: $5.00 Buy now Samples pages include: Contents and Introduction Addition Review Adding Terminology and Practice More Subtraction Review Subtract in Columns Word Problems and Bar Diagrams Rounding Line Graphs

I'm sure youngsters will like this card "game"! I'm going to try it with mine. Actually it's not really a game, but a fun way for kids to write some of their own math problems using a deck of cards. She even provides a free printout: Little Blue School: Math Card Game for Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division HT: This week's Carnival of Homeschooling

I thought some of you (those who teach second grade) might enjoy my NUMBER RAINBOWS. The idea is that you connect two numbers with an arc if they add up to the particular number, such as 13. Then, the child can use it as a reference when subtracting from 13 or when doing subtraction drill. You could first drill subtraction facts WITH the rainbow (such as 13 − 4, 13 − 7 etc.) and then without. You would also ask the child to reproduce the rainbow - and color it, of course! These make for quite pretty math facts practice, don't you think! I'm going to add these to my Add & Subtract 2-A book.