WeMath
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How we teach

Most kids who struggle with math aren't missing effort. They're missing a skill from earlier that everything else depends on. We find that skill, teach it until it sticks, and build from there.

1. Number sense before methods

Before written methods, kids learn to see numbers: 8 needs 2 more to make 10, 15 is 10 and 5 more, 64 and 36 make 100. Those facts make adding and subtracting quick and sure instead of counting on fingers.

2. Pictures before numbers

Every new idea starts with something kids can see: dots, ten-frames, sticks of ten. Then the pictures are slowly taken away until they can do it with numbers alone. Here is how a packet teaches 8 + 5 by making a ten first:

A page from the Up to and Over Ten packet showing 8 + 5 broken apart: 8 needs 2 to make 10, and 3 is left over, so 13.
From the Up to and Over Ten packet.

3. Move on when it's mastered

Each packet ends with a one-page Check-In quiz with no help. A child moves to the next packet when they get 80% or more. If not, they review the parts they missed and try again. Nobody is rushed and nobody is held back.

4. A tutor beside your child

Tutors ask questions instead of giving answers (“What does 8 need to make 10?”), so kids learn to think it through. Every tutor finishes WeMath training on teaching and on keeping children safe before working with kids.

The packets, in order

Each packet is one skill. Your child starts wherever their first check shows.

Kindergarten

  1. Adding and Taking AwayAdd and take away within 9 using pictures
  2. Ten BuddiesKnow the pairs that make 10
  3. Ten and Some MoreTeen numbers as 10 and some more

Grade 1

  1. Up to and Over TenAdd across 10 by making a ten first (8 + 5)
  2. Over the Next TenAdd across 20, 30, 40… (28 + 5)
  3. Back Through TenSubtract across 10 by jumping (15 − 8)
  4. Doubles and Near DoublesDoubles to 10 + 10, and near doubles (6 + 7)
  5. Tens and OnesTwo-digit numbers as tens and ones
  6. Ten More, Ten LessFind 10 more or 10 less without counting
  7. Adding Two-Digit NumbersAdd two-digit numbers by tens and ones

Grade 2

  1. Subtracting Two-Digit NumbersSubtract two-digit numbers by tens and ones
  2. Missing NumbersFind a missing number by jumping up (42 + ? = 75)
  3. Hundred BuddiesPairs that make 100 (64 + 36)
  4. Subtracting with BorrowingBreak a ten when there aren't enough ones
  5. Adding in ColumnsStacked addition, carrying a new ten
  6. Subtracting in ColumnsStacked subtraction, breaking a ten
  7. Hundreds, Tens and OnesThree-digit place value
  8. Skip CountingCount by 5s, 10s and 100s
  9. Counting Forward and BackwardCount by any number, both directions
  10. Comparing NumbersCompare numbers with <, > and =
  11. 10 and 100 More or LessFind 10 or 100 more or less
  12. Adding Three-Digit NumbersAdd three-digit numbers
  13. Subtracting Three-Digit NumbersSubtract three-digit numbers
  14. Equal Groups and ArraysEqual groups and arrays (ready for multiplying)
  15. Even and OddTell even from odd
  16. HalvesFind half of a number, both ways

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