Mental Math Strategies for Addition

The video tutorial introduces mental math strategies for first and second graders, focusing on decomposition, compensation, adding up, and constant difference. Each strategy is explained with examples, emphasizing the importance of developing number sense and fluency. The teacher encourages using these strategies during number talks to enhance students' mathematical reasoning and problem-solving skills.

Why is it important to develop mental math strategies in first and second grade?

• To help students memorize math facts

• To improve students' ability to solve problems quickly and flexibly

• To prepare students for standardized tests

• To make math class more fun

What is the main purpose of the Decomposition strategy?

• To break numbers into smaller, more manageable parts

• To memorize math facts

• To use a calculator more effectively

• To write numbers in expanded form

In the Decomposition strategy, what is a 'friendly number'?

• A number that is a prime number

• A number that is easy to add or subtract

• A number that is easy to multiply

• A number that is a multiple of 5

How can the Compensation strategy make addition easier?

• By breaking numbers into smaller parts

• By using a calculator

• By using multiplication instead of addition

• By adding and then subtracting the same number to simplify the problem

When using the Compensation strategy for subtraction, what must you do after adding to the subtrahend?

• Multiply the result by 2

• Subtract the same amount from the minuend

• Add the same amount to the minuend

• Divide the result by 2

What is the Adding Up strategy primarily used for?

• Subtraction

• Multiplication

• Division

• Addition

In the Adding Up strategy, what is the first step?

• Subtract the smaller number from the larger number

• Add the two numbers together

• Count up from the smaller number to the larger number

• Multiply the two numbers

What is the Constant Difference strategy similar to?

• Decomposition

• Compensation

• Adding Up

• Standard Algorithm

In the Constant Difference strategy, what do you do to both the minuend and the subtrahend?

• Add the same number to both

• Subtract the same number from both

• Add to one and subtract from the other

• Multiply both by the same number

Why does the Constant Difference strategy work?

• Because it uses multiplication

• Because it uses division

• Because it changes the numbers to easier values

• Because it keeps the difference between the numbers the same