Day 1:
Define Fact Family
Practice examples of fact families
Context: How are addition and subtraction related

Day 2:
Extend Fact Family to all digits 0-10
Practice examples of fact families
Context: Use models to represent fact families

Day 3:
Fact Families use of models and digits to represent fact families
Addition and Subtraction are related operations

Day 4:
Expand our thinking-Show fact families with domino models and number number bond mats

Day 5:  Use word problems to represent fact families with complementary and supplementary examples. 

 
In this one-week math camp, students will learn that a fact family is made-up of three numbers and typically four related facts. They will learn to demonstrate and use the relationship of one number bond 3 + 5 = 8) in order to make three more number bonds (ex. 5 + 3 = 8, 8/3 = 5, and 8/5 = 3). Understanding the idea of a fact family leads to more complex mathematical thinking. It is a foundational skill for many other math concepts.

Understanding fact families is empowering. Students will learn that if they know one addition or subtraction fact they actually know four facts. Fact families are an efficient way to learn facts that help your student build confidence, accuracy, and speed.
My teaching style is to blend explicit instruction with exploratory, Montessori-style type activities with extension activities for those that are ready to move forward. We will also complete error analysis, which is a risk-free way for students to look for errors and notice a general pattern of types of mathematical errors. The content will build Monday through Friday.
We will focus on concepts beyond memorizing simple addition and subtraction facts. While memorizing math facts helps a student to improve their math fluency, the ability to solve problems quickly and accurately, fact families help students to understand the relationship between and among numbers which supports students through early math concepts and into algebra.
Understanding fact families also helps students to become flexible thinkers. Fact families support students to realize there is almost always more than one way to solve a problem. When students understand that adding and subtracting, multiplying and dividing are opposites, or inverse relationships, they can choose how they want to figure out the answer. Students are encouraged to think about their thinking, using metacognitive skills. This then becomes a strategy for approaching many other types of mathematical thinking. For example, when they understand that 3 + 5 = 8 they also understand that 8 - 3 = 5.

Students will learn to understand the Commutative Property of Addition, which means that order of numbers in addition does not matter. Using the previous example 3 + 5 = 8 and 5 + 3 = 8. Students will practice the Commutative Property which states, “the order of numbers can be changed when they are added or multiplied and the answer will stay the same.” This is a critical concept in algebraic thinking!

Most importantly, we will have fun! Using an under the sea theme gives us lots of different activity ideas for connecting mathematical concepts with a very fun theme that many children enjoy.