As you are well aware, Halloween is fast approaching.  On October 29^th & 30^th our classes will have small parties and I have a couple of requests …

Party Money

 

Hopefully, your first grader has been able to explain some of the high-level addition strategies that we are now using  (counting on, making ten, doubles, doubles plus one).  Students are often playing games, completing addition worksheets, and participating in activities at school to help improve number sense and the automaticity of the basic facts.

I am now asking that you please have your child practice addition at home.  To help with this, I will soon be returning your flashcards from the supply list.

At various times during the year, you will need to focus your child’s practice on specific strategies.  The first assignment will be to concentrate on problems with a total of 10 (8+2, 7+3, etc.).  Pull these cards from your pack and ask your first grader to state the entire equation.  “Five plus five equals ten.”  If you hear either the slightest hesitation or an error on one of the facts, spend some extra time on that fact.  The best way to give extra practice is to begin by immediately supplying your child with the correct answer and repeating the problem once more.

Knowing these facts automatically will be essential in using strategies introduced later in the year.  And as always, thank you for your cooperation and ongoing support.