Adding 10s
Tell the student to just put a one in front of the number. This is a great opportunity to show the student how to add columns together. Draw a line between the numbers to create a visual of the two columns (1|0.) For example, 10 + 4. The student adds 0+4=4, then brings down the 1 to get 14.

Adding 9s
Always use what the student already knows to solve what they don't know. They now know plus 10, so they simply have to subtract one from that answer. For example, 9+6. Solve 10+6=16, then subtract 1 to get one less than 16 or 15.

Adding 10s
Tell the student to just put a one in front of the number. This is a great opportunity to show the student how to add columns together. Draw a line between the numbers to create a visual of the two columns (1|0.) For example, 10 + 4. The student adds 0+4=4, then brings down the 1 to get 14.

Adding 9s
Always use what the student already knows to solve what they don't know. They now know plus 10, so they simply have to subtract one from that answer. For example, 9+6. Solve 10+6=16, then subtract 1 to get one less than 16 or 15.

This is my favorite math sheet. If I have a really reluctant student, I use this one first. I simply ask the student if they will let me help them learn to add and subtract if I can get them to subtract nine in one minute. Then, I show them the MAGIC NINE WAND. I hold a pencil or a piece of chalk over the minus sign and tell them it is a magic wand. You take the magic wand and place a little plus sign between the top two numbers and add them up. For example, 17-9, put a plus between the 1 and 7, 1+7=8. Like magic, the answer is 8, to a struggling student this is real magic. The wonderful thing about magic nine is that the student feels like a success, they can now do all the nines without having to add up, count down, or memorize. (Of course, they have to remember the trick -- a prompt of magic nine or magic wand is usually all they need.) The other wonderful thing is that when they are in class and the teacher puts a minus nine math fact on the board, their hand goes up immediately.

See our Math Fact Series to teach math basic math facts.

Together, we can teach all kids,
Linda.