Strategies and Teaching Sequence for Basic Facts
Addition
Count on 1,2 and 0
Doubles and Near Doubles
Bridge to Ten (friendly numbers)
Subtraction
Think addition
o Use horizontal equation cards to reinforce this idea
 6 + 7 = 13
 Cover up the 6 or 7, and students have to name the missing addend. Then rewrite the equation
as a subtraction equation
 Use All the Facts from Power of Ten to “match” the subtraction equations with the addition
equations
Multiplication
Use tens to learn 5s
o This is based on the idea that students can quickly master their tens tables and then use the idea of
halving to learn 5s. This idea is more efficient than simply counting on by 5s.
Generalizations to reinforce 1s and 0s.
o Use lots of examples to lead students to the understanding of the 0 and 1 principles of multiplication
Doubles, Double Doubles, and Double Double Doubles
o Build on the idea of doubles (2s) to build double doubles (4s) and double double doubles (8s)
Build Up/Down
o Use the 5s to build up to 6
o Use the 10s to build down to 9s
Division
Think multiplication
o Each division fact is based on a multiplication fact
o Use horizontal equation cards to find the missing factor and rewrite the equation as division.
***Turn around facts (commutative property) should be reinforced as you go. Keep track of the strategies you learn on
addition or multiplication fact charts. ***