February 28, 2011 Dear Parents;    MATH        Students need to know a number of different strategies to to add or subtract.      Addition Strategies   1.     Simply know the number fact. 2.     Count on -   For example, 8+4=  your child begins at 8 so all they have to do is count on four –  9, 10, 11, 12. 3.     Double Facts -   For example, a question of 5+6= is given.  If they knew 5+5= 10, then they know 6 is 1 more than 5 just add the 1 to the 10.   Subtraction Strategies 1.     Simply knowing the facts. 2.     Counting backwards – For example, 5-2= your child begins at 5 and counts backwards 4, 3. 3.     Knowing addition facts – Knowing 2+3=5 will help to know subtraction is a reconfiguration of addition facts, such as, 5-2=3 or 5-3=2.   Working with facts repeatedly will help students remember them like memorization.  Knowing the strategies will help them figure out unknown facts.