Mental Math Strategies: Student Strategy Cards

While teaching second grade for 10 years, I noticed that kids really struggled with their math facts to 20 in both addition and subtraction. They counted on their fingers and needed concrete objects to solve simple facts. They had a hard time memorizing the facts and made careless errors. Once I started teaching students mental math strategies, they were able to add and subtract with fewer errors and frustration. This even helped them to learn how to multiply and divide with ease. I created this product based on exactly what students need to feel successful in learning, understanding, and practicing mental math strategies in addition and subtraction to 20.

This product includes:

•Two mental math strategies reference sheets for teacher and students –Addition mental math strategies and subtraction mental math strategies.

•Mental Math Strategy Cards (size about 5.5 in x 4 in – can be copied front to back) Put these on a binder ring for each student to have their own set of mental math strategies to practice. Put a few sets in your math center too for reference, practice, study groups, etc.

Addition Mental Math Strategy Cards

•Doubles

•Doubles Plus One

•Doubles Plus Two

•Doubles Minus One

•Doubles Minus Two

•Combinations of 10

•Add One to Nine

•Counting Up

•Make Ten

•Adding Ten

Commutative Property

Subtraction Mental Math Strategy Cards:

•Doubles

•Counting Back

•Counting Up

•Think Addition

•Fact Families

•Subtracting from Ten

I hope this resource helps your students learn, practice and build their math muscles to become strong, confident mathematicians.

This is a digital download (PDF).

From my classroom to yours…Enjoy!

Purchasing this product grants permission for use by one teacher in his or her own classroom. If you intend to share with others, please purchase an additional license for the desired product.