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Parent guide · Grade 1 Math · Unit 3

Lesson 3.3 Fact Families

Written for the parent. Read the Say this lines aloud as they are, or in your own words. Answers for you are marked Listen for.

At a glance

Time
5 sessions of 20–25 minutes
Goal
Write the four facts in a family.
You need
  • Pencil and crayons
Print
Worksheet A · Worksheet B · the lesson page

Steps

  1. Do this: Ask these out loud. Your child answers out loud; no paper needed.

    • Ask: “12 − 1” Listen for: 11
    • Ask: “9 − 2” Listen for: 7
    • Ask: “9 − 5” Listen for: 4
    • Ask: “9 − 8” Listen for: 1
    • Ask: “14 − 5” Listen for: 9

  2. Say this: “6, 8 and 14 make the facts 6 + 8 = 14, 8 + 6 = 14, 14 − 6 = 8, 14 − 8 = 6.”

    Say this: “The biggest number is the total; it comes first in subtraction.”

    Say this: “Fact family: two addition and two subtraction facts made from the same three numbers.”

  3. Show: Write the fact family for 3, 8 and 11.

    Say this: “3 + 8 = 11”

    Say this: “8 + 3 = 11”

    Say this: “11 − 3 = 8”

    Say this: “11 − 8 = 3”

    Answer: 3 + 8 = 11; 8 + 3 = 11; 11 − 3 = 8; 11 − 8 = 3

    Show: 18 − 4 = ___

    Say this: “18 − 4 = 14”

    Say this: “Check: 14 + 4 = 18”

    Answer: 14

  4. Do this: Your child does these with you. Let them try first; help only after a real try.

    Ask: Write the fact family for 5, 3 and 8.

    Listen for: 5 + 3 = 8; 3 + 5 = 8; 8 − 5 = 3; 8 − 3 = 5

    If stuck: 5 + 3 = 8

    Ask: Write the fact family for 2, 4 and 6.

    Listen for: 2 + 4 = 6; 4 + 2 = 6; 6 − 2 = 4; 6 − 4 = 2

    If stuck: 2 + 4 = 6

    Ask: Write the fact family for 1, 2 and 3.

    Listen for: 1 + 2 = 3; 2 + 1 = 3; 3 − 1 = 2; 3 − 2 = 1

    If stuck: 1 + 2 = 3

    7 more practice items on the lesson page, and on Worksheet A and Worksheet B.

    • Writing 6 − 14. The total always comes first when we subtract.

  6. Draw a house with three numbers in the roof (like 6, 8, 14). Your child writes all four facts in the windows. Score a point for each correct fact.

  7. Say this: “Tell me what you learned today. Show me with your hands or the counters if you like.”

    Listen for: Write the four facts in a family.

  8. Count back from 20 by ones and by twos. Say the subtraction partners of 10 (10 − 1 = 9 …).

Spread over the week

5 sessions of 20–25 minutes. Stop while it is still going well.

  1. Session 1. Warm-up, then teach the new idea (steps 1 and 2).
  2. Session 2. Warm-up again, then show how with the examples.
  3. Session 3. Practice together, then play the game.
  4. Session 4. More practice on the worksheet, and the daily habit.
  5. Session 5. Quick check: narration and a few practice items. Move on when it is mostly right.