Addition Flashcards

[Beorn]

Does anyone know why the addition flashcards that come with the K core curriculum package do not include the entire addition family for any family other than the 1 addition family?

For example, for the 2 addition family it has the 0+2 card and the 1+1 card but not the 2+0 card. And yes, I even counted the cards to make sure I had them all. Still sealed in plastic wrap even.

[Michael]

Good afternoon Beorn,

I spoke with HLS' K-3 director of instruction, and she explained that for the 1 family, both 1+0 and 0+1 are included because

1. students are being introduced to the concept of different-order-same-answer for the first time, and
2. without 1+0 and 0+1, the 1 family would only have one member.

FlashKids omits the remaining X+0 cards due to the simplicity of 0, which never changes the answer when added or subtracted, and the director agreed that a card for 0+X and another for X+0 is not strictly necessary. That being said, we did add the X+0 family to our own Arithmetic Flashcards: Addition & Subtraction, 0 to 18 for those who would prefer to have both orders, 0+X and X+0.

HTH!

[Beorn]

Thanks for the reply, Michael. I always appreciate hearing from you on the MP board.

I understand the reasoning for including both 1+0 and 0+1 cards. And I understand that having both the x+0 and 0+x cards for the families are not strictly necessary due to the simplicity of the concept.

That being said, where I lose understanding is in why a flashcard set like FlashKids would be included in a core curriculum when MP clearly thinks it is important enough to have both an x+0 and a 0+x card in its own Arithmetic Flashcards and listed in the Addition Families in the Appendix of the Curriculum Manual.

Alas, I also know that my understanding is not of critical importance when decisions like that are being made. Thanks again for the reply, Michael.

[Michael]

Thanks for the reply, Michael. ... Where I lose understanding is in why a flashcard set like FlashKids would be included in a core curriculum when MP clearly thinks it is important enough to have both an x+0 and a 0+x card in its own Arithmetic Flashcards and listed in the Addition Families in the Appendix of the Curriculum Manual.

You're welcome, Beorn! I should have clarified that the director of instruction with whom I spoke distinguished between flashcard drill of families, during which two cards for 0 are unnecessary (though certainly not unhelpful), and written practice of the families, in which both X+0 and 0+X should be written. I will confess that the primary level is not my area of expertise; the best person to answer your question is Michelle T , who is currently visiting a school, hence my poor attempt at a response! Once she returns to the office, she should be able to give you the "why" behind the one approach for writing the families and another approach for drilling with flashcards, as well as to explain why we did not believe the choice of FlashKids was in any way harming students by its omission of X+0 cards.

Wishing I could sign this HTH,

[tanya]

Beorn,

We published our own set of flashcards because we couldn't find a set that we liked that included exactly what our math program and teachers are doing in the classroom. This is how we always end up with new curriculum - we can't find what we need. I once bought every set of flashcards I could find for Cheryl Lowe to review, and she rejected all of them. So we settled on the FlashKids as the best option. But then we met with our teachers, found out exactly what they wanted, and created them. They used the FlashKids until this year. Or, some of them used the Rod & Staff cards that we sell in the Simply Classical program.

Next year, we will be replacing the FlashKids cards with our cards, but we didn't have them in time for this year! I hope the FlashKids don't cause you any more frustration! If you want a more robust set of cards, you could look at the R&S ones. They have things like before and after numbers, so they are loaded with flashcard help!

Tanya

[Beorn]

Michael, it actually does help so you do not have to hope!

tanya, thank you for going above and beyond again and providing helpful answers. I figured it would be something along those lines and it is helpful to know that. Sorry I ask questions like these, my brain is just geared and trained that way. A blessing and a curse.

You're both stuck with me now. And it is your own faults and the entire MP crew's fault, as you just happen to produce AND provide helpful feedback to us users of a most amazing and wonderful Christian and Classical homeschool curriculum. Just be glad I don't live closer to Louisville.

P.S. No need to add in anything additional, Michelle T. Stay focused on the school visit.

[tanya]

Don't stop asking questions! Michael and I won't have anything to do! In all seriousness, we welcome all questions. we know this is difficult to figure out, so we look forward to walking this road with you!

Come on to KY!

Tanya