School Launch

Parent guide · Grade 2 Math · Unit 1

Lesson 1.4 Fact Families and Missing Numbers

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 fact families. Find missing numbers.
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: “4 + 5” Listen for: 9
    • Ask: “7 + 2” Listen for: 9
    • Ask: “3 + 2” Listen for: 5
    • Ask: “9 + 2” Listen for: 11

  2. Say this: “Every fact family has two addition facts and two subtraction facts.”

    Say this: “To find ___ + 7 = 16, think 16 − 7 = 9.”

    Say this: “Unknown: the missing number.”

  3. Show: Find the missing number: 5 + ___ = 12

    Say this: “Think: what goes with 5 to make 12?”

    Say this: “12 − 5 = 7”

    Say this: “Check: 5 + 7 = 12”

    Answer: 7

    Show: Find the missing number: 15 − ___ = 7

    Say this: “Think addition: 7 + ___ = 15”

    Say this: “15 − 7 = 8”

    Answer: 8

  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 8, 9 and 17.

    Listen for: 8 + 9 = 17; 9 + 8 = 17; 17 − 8 = 9; 17 − 9 = 8

    If stuck: 8 + 9 = 17

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

    Listen for: 3 + 8 = 11; 8 + 3 = 11; 11 − 3 = 8; 11 − 8 = 3

    If stuck: 3 + 8 = 11

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

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

    If stuck: 3 + 5 = 8

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

    • Putting the total in the blank.

  6. Fill a 4 × 4 grid with numbers 2–18. Call out facts like “8 + 7” or “15 − 9.” Cover the answer. Four in a row wins.

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

    Listen for: Write fact families.; Find missing numbers.

  8. One-minute fact drill on Fridays (aim for 30 correct). Count by twos to 50 and back.

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.