Number Bonds: The Key to Teaching Math Facts
Over our last four years of homeschooling, I have used several different math curricula. Some I liked better the others, but they all had their own strengths and weaknesses.
One of the strengths of one particular curriculum we used, Singapore Math, is their method of teaching basic math facts. Instead of teaching fact families by rote, Singapore illustrates fact families using number bonds. Now, I realize it’s just my unprofessional opinion, but as a self-professed, homeschooling-mom, math geek, I truly believe the number bond method is one the best ways to teach children their math facts. It’s simple, it’s visual, and it’s extremely effective.
If you’re not familiar with how number bonds work, let me illustrate.
As in the example for addition on the left, the student is taught to recognize that the number 7 is made of 3 and 4. Understanding that basic concept, the student is then able to see clearly the rest of the facts in that family, in both addition and subtraction. It works pretty much the same for multiplication.
Not only does teaching fact families with number bonds simplify the learning process tremendously for my children, it also reduces the number of flashcards we use for drills. We just purchased two sets of three-corner flash cards to cover all four operations. Then, with one flashcard, depending on which number I cover when I show the card to my children, I can drill different facts and different operations. For example, when using the multiplication cards, if I cover the top number, I’m drilling multiplication; if I cover either of the bottom numbers, I’m drilling division.
Teaching math facts with the number bond method also helps my children think algebraically. When they look at a basic equation in any operation, they can recognize which of the numbers is the “whole” — the number that goes at the top of the number bond — based on its position in the equation. This has helped even my first grader solve for an unknown by picturing an equation in terms of a number bond.
So you could definitely say that number bonds have really worked for us! (How totally geeky is that?)
AUTHOR | Joy Miller
Joy, one of the original 3 Moms at Happy to be at Home, is the wife of a music minister and spends her days homeschooling her three children (ages 6, 9, and 11), teaching piano lessons from her home, and trying to improve her cooking skills. You can read more about Joy on her personal blog, Five J's.
I think the Abeka math works like that, too. I remember using those flashcards with daughter #2 starting in first grade.
I’m hoping I pick up math as I teach it! LOL!
As a former teacher, I like that concept. I know I’m flashcarded-out with my 7 year old, who needs to know her facts faster (although even thinking she needs to be faster makes me wish I were homeschooling her!).
Thanks!
I use the 3-Corner multiplication/division Flash Cards through 12 with my kids and with the little girl I tutored and they love it. It’s like a game with them and it sure helps them to think quickly. It is a great way for them to recognize how multiplication and division are related and if they learn one, they know the other! Great post and blog!
I like the 3 corner flashcards. We have some and have really liked them.
That does look neat. I think I’ll have to try that idea with some of my children. I will have to give the multiplication and division different colors than the addition and subtraction though. A couple of my right brained children would get confused between the functions if all operations used the same colors.
That is a great idea! Thanks for sharing, I will definitely have to try this with my daughter when she gets to that point!!
I don’t have any kids learning addition yet (mine’s only 21 months). I really like the visual aspect of these cards, though…I guess I’m a visual learner. Maybe this is something I can use in a few years
Thanks!
I didn’t even know what this method is called, but we use it in the curriculum we have - RightStart Mathematics. I love how visual this is. My kid likes drawing the bubbles, and it seems to really work for him.
[...] 3. Singapore Math. I don’t think there’s a single “perfect” math curriculum out there, but Singapore Math is definitely up there with some of the better ones. I talk a little more about why I like Singapore math so much here. [...]