Presentation

  1. 1

    Show Chart 1: first addends down the left side, second addends across the top.

  2. 2

    For 4 + 3, place one finger on 4 and one on 3 and slide them until they meet: 7.

  3. 3

    The child draws a fact slip, finds the answer on the chart, and records it.

  4. 4

    Introduce the half chart: 'Each pair is shown only once, because 3 + 4 is the same as 4 + 3.' The child finds facts by reversing the addends when needed.

  5. 5

    Introduce the blank chart: the child draws an answer tile, finds where it belongs, and places it; check against Chart 1.

  6. 6

    Recall: the child writes answers to a set of slips without any chart, then checks with Chart 1.

Extensions, easiest to hardest

  1. Timed personal practice: the child counts facts recalled correctly and tries to improve on their own count.
  2. Missing addend facts (4 + ? = 9).
  3. The child fills the blank chart entirely from memory.

Control of error

Chart 1 is the control for every other chart and every set of slips.

Ready to move on when the child…

  • Recalls facts to 10 without counting
  • Fills the blank chart with few errors and corrects them with Chart 1

Guide note

Chart numbering differs between manufacturers. Check your set's guide for which chart number is which; the order of use above (full chart, working chart, half chart, blank chart) is what matters.

Try “pink tower”, “tummy”, “diaper”, “grace and courtesy”, or “October”.