The Beginning...Mastering Basic Addition Facts

Why can't some kids add even the simplest math facts?

Some students are system learners or more right-brained than left-brained. The whole number system doesn't make sense to them and they are not great at simply memorizing math facts.

You Need to Help Them See the System for Doing Math.

Unfortunately, adding doesn't have a very clear system to it.


At first it is important to just get them to come up with an answer. This is normally accomplished by using their fingers.

Unfortunately most struggling students when they are learning to add insist on counting the first set of fingers, as well as, the fingers they are adding on.

For example, 4 + 3, they lay out four fingers on one hand and three fingers on the other hand and then they use up a great deal of time and energy counting all seven fingers.

So start by discouraging them from counting the first number (4) and just hold up enough fingers for the added on portion (3).

If you can do this, you cut the time it takes to complete one math fact by almost half.

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Teach Them the System

A number plus zero is the number.
Using a very large number with some of the basic plus zero math facts is a good way to illustrate this. eg., A trillion plus zero is a trillion. Kids love this.

Plus one can be simply explained as just being the next number on the number line.
Say things like "What number comes next?" "What number comes after 4?"

Adding 2s, 3s and 4s is easily done by using the points on the number.
When adding 4 + 2, the student uses the top of the two as one point and the bottom of the two for the second point. Then they say the top number and then use there pencil point to hop down the number 2, starting with 4 and counting up 5, 6.
Be cautious of using 'cheat aids'. If they always have a ruler or a number line taped their school desk, they will use it as a tool and so be able to get the correct answer. However, if they use a number line or ruler to add all the numbers, what happens when there is no ruler available?

Subtract Down & Math Ladder
For subtracting, just have them start with the lower number and count up using fingers or dash marks to keep track. This will be slow but at least they will be able to subtract.

For older students use the math ladder.

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Never Give Up — There is Always a Strategy.

For example, to subtract from ten, eg., 10 - 6. A student could look at their 10 fingers and fold under 6 fingers. The remaining 4 fingers would be their answer, 10 - 6 = 4.

Sometimes It's a Matter of Approach
However, there is always a student that this method eludes. So instead tell them to hold up 6 fingers and the folded under fingers are their answers.

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Subtracting Stress — Adding Success

See the Math Skills Index for additional information.

See our Teaching Resources for Math Basic Facts for worksheets, lesson plans, etc.

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