When Flash Cards Are Not Enough
Linda J. Phillips · Teaching Children Mathematics · 2003
“Why do you always make me tell you so many ways?” puffed eight-year-old Ashleigh. Then she laughed. “OK, OK, I guess I don't really mind when you ask me that. So here goes. … I know the answer for 9 + 7 is 16 because if I put 1 more with the 9 I'll have 10; then I have 1 less with the 7, so 10 + 6 is 16. I also know the answer is 16 because 8 and 8 make 16, and if I give 1 to 7 that will be 8, and now 9 has only 8 and that makes it like 8 and 8, which is one of my doubles that I already know. Hey, wait, I could use my doubles strategy because now I see another double! Seven plus 7 is 14, and 2 more from the 9 makes 16. …”