A toolkit to teach addition and subtraction should start with books introducing simple math concepts. Children's book authors Barbara McGrath and Greg Tang both offer titles that are first-grade appropriate. McGrath's M&M Brand Counting Book was a winner of the "Teacher's Choice Award" from Learning Magazine, while Tang looks to inspire kids to learn and to have confidence in their own thinking. Some of his titles include "Math Fables" and "MATH-terpieces." These books are filled with colorful pages loaded with activities designed specifically to practice addition and subtraction.
Making your own interactive flash cards is quite simple, and can be a great tool to assist with early education. Use index cards and numbers ranging from zero to 20 in two piles of cards, one for addition and one for subtraction. The numbers written on the cards should be in large black or blue marker, with simple equations on one side and the answer on the other. Flash cards can be taken anywhere for quick practice sessions and conveniently put aside to review later or reworked to concentrate on new information as students progress.
According to the International Children's Education organization, young children learn to understand math concepts best with the use of manipulatives. These are objects such as buttons, dried beans, blocks or trays of tiles and cubes. Manipulatives allow first grade students to count, pattern and order collections of objects, practicing and improving addition and subtraction skills with hands-on activities.
Teachers can create or use printable worksheets with simple addition and subtraction problems in class, or send home workbooks with removable pages so that students can work independently. Parents can also find resources online to print free worksheets. The Mathematical Association of America notes that worksheets not only help in the classroom, but direct students' learning outside of class by helping to keep a continued focus on the material.