Math Helps
It's amazing how much the math curriculum has changed over the years. First Grade Math is more than just learning how to add and subtract (although that is a major component). We learn about shapes and attributes of those shapes. We also learn about graphing and being able to form questions about a graph. Problem solving, place value, counting forward and backward to 120, and explaining how we got an answer are just a few more things we learn in first grade.
I mentioned that adding and subtracting is a major component in First Grade Math. We will focus a lot of time on adding and subtracting to/from 20. However, we will also work on double digit addition and subtraction as well. The First Graders are required to be fluent in adding and subtraction to/from 10. To be fluent means they must be able to see the problem and within 3 seconds know the answer.
I have listed below some math strategies that we use in First Grade. We encourage our students to not rely on using their fingers to figure out an answer. Although using fingers can be at times helpful, when trying to become fluent, using fingers to add or subtract is not very quick. Instead students can use:
1. A number line. This is just a line with the numbers 0-20 on it. The
students learn to count up for adding and to count back for
subtracting.
2. Touch Points. Using touch points is very quick and useful, if the
students know where the points are on each number.
3. Double Facts. Doubles facts are 2+2=4 and 5+5=10. These are
easy to recognize and to learn.
4. Turnaround Facts. This is simply to have the numbers trade places
in an addition problem. For example: 3+2=5 and 2+3=5.
5. Add or Subtract 0.
6. Add or Subtract 1.
7. Doubles Plus 1. This strategy is to think about a doubles fact like
6+6=12 and know that 6+7 is one more.
8. Doubles Minus 1. This strategy is to think about 6+6=12 so
6+5=11.
9. Making 10. Student can make a 10 to add. The can think about
8+5 as 10+3.
I mentioned that adding and subtracting is a major component in First Grade Math. We will focus a lot of time on adding and subtracting to/from 20. However, we will also work on double digit addition and subtraction as well. The First Graders are required to be fluent in adding and subtraction to/from 10. To be fluent means they must be able to see the problem and within 3 seconds know the answer.
I have listed below some math strategies that we use in First Grade. We encourage our students to not rely on using their fingers to figure out an answer. Although using fingers can be at times helpful, when trying to become fluent, using fingers to add or subtract is not very quick. Instead students can use:
1. A number line. This is just a line with the numbers 0-20 on it. The
students learn to count up for adding and to count back for
subtracting.
2. Touch Points. Using touch points is very quick and useful, if the
students know where the points are on each number.
3. Double Facts. Doubles facts are 2+2=4 and 5+5=10. These are
easy to recognize and to learn.
4. Turnaround Facts. This is simply to have the numbers trade places
in an addition problem. For example: 3+2=5 and 2+3=5.
5. Add or Subtract 0.
6. Add or Subtract 1.
7. Doubles Plus 1. This strategy is to think about a doubles fact like
6+6=12 and know that 6+7 is one more.
8. Doubles Minus 1. This strategy is to think about 6+6=12 so
6+5=11.
9. Making 10. Student can make a 10 to add. The can think about
8+5 as 10+3.