N is for…Number bonds. You may wonder why your teacher wants you to learn these, but they are actually very useful. Once you can quickly identify any two numbers which add up to ten, you can use this to add up bigger numbers. 43 + 137 may look tricky at first glance, but if you know your number bonds you will see straight away that 3+7=10 so the sum is really 40+130+10 – and it’s easy to add up multiples of ten.
So if you know them already give yourself a pat on the back. If you don’t, then make up your mind this is going to be the next thing you learn. Read M is for…Motivation and then practise every day. For some ideas of how to practise, get an adult to have a look at Teaching Number Bonds with you.