Addition Fact Families

Today in Year 1 Maths, we had a fun, practical lesson revisiting Addition Fact Families using paper plates! We learned that a Fact Family uses the same three numbers to create different number sentences.

The Fact Family

• We picked a set of three numbers (like 5, 2, and 7) and moved their plates around to see the relationships.
• We made the two classic addition sentences:
  • 5 + 2 = 7
  • 2 + 5 = 7 (The smaller numbers can swap places!) 

The 'Bigger Number' Rule

• Then, we learned a crucial rule about the biggest number (the total, 7):
• Rule: In an addition sentence, the biggest number is the answer! If you start the sentence with the total, the equals sign must come right after it.
• We created two more sentences by starting with the biggest number:
  • 7 = 5 + 2
  • 7 = 2 + 5
• These sentences are the same, just written backward! The biggest number is special—it always takes the equals sign with it!

Challenge your Year 1 Mathematician:

• Ask them to give you a number family (e.g., 4, 3, and 7).
• Can they write down all four addition sentences?