[teamc]

how do you teach fact families to your first graders?

[KAS112]

I bought the fact family pocket chart from Lakeshore and we use it during calendar, we do one family a week when we start and then as they get the hang of it we'll pull out old families and review them. I also have some fact family house work sheets that I fill in with the three numbers and they can fill in. I put some in page protectors for work time that they can practice on. I also explain it to the parents and put it in my weekly newsletter so that the parents can give extra help if needed.

[msamyb]

I found this "Fact Family House" attachment here on Proteacher sometime over the summer. I send it home for homework/review of fact families. Maybe it will help.

[msamyb]

Here is the house for doubles.

[Mrs.H]

Thanks for sharing the fact family houses.

[LisaC1st]

Your houses for fact families are darling.I may be having a senior moment, but could you give me an example of what the "Units" part would be?

[lovebug422]

I explain it this way - there are three members in each family. The biggest number is the Daddy, the middle number is the Mommy and the smaller number is the baby. In a fact family there are always four number sentences; two addition and two subtraction. When doing the adding number sentences you NEVER start with Daddy (he's always the answer). If you decided to start with Mommy first, then the next adding number sentence has to be the flip flopper. When doing the subtraction number sentences, you ALWAYS start with Daddy and can subtract Mommy first or Baby.

[LisaC1st]

I've got that part. It's the "units" part that I'm not clear on.

[lovebug422]

I have no idea!

[Mumbles]

If I'm not mistaken, units refer to "what you are talking about" such as apples, coins, people, etc. It is a way to show students that numbers stand for something.

[LisaC1st]

Thank you Mumbles! Now that does make sense!