What to teach about number bonds...

Being able to know them by heart (without looking)

Know the inverse (subtraction facts)

Know the relationship between the numbers for each number bond 

So, for example...

1+4=5

5 is made of 2 parts, 1 and 4

5-1=4

5-4=1

5-?=1

5-?=4

I know 5 is made of 2 parts, 1 and 4 so if I take 1 part away I know the other part is left.

Can you have a go at these word problems with your child? First help them to identify where the important maths is. Then use objects to represent the items in the problem (this will help them to visualise the maths)

Inverse number bond to 5 problems

(simple subtraction)

I went to the shop with 5p. I spent 3p. How much do I have left?

5p-3p=?

5 children were playing outside. It started to rain so 4 children went inside. How many were left?

5-4=?

I had 5 chips on my plate. I ate 2, how many were left?

5-2=?

I had 5 pieces of apple. I ate 0 pieces. How many were left?

5-0=?

(more complex subtraction)

I went to the shop with 5p. When I got home, I still had 2p. How much did I spend?

5p-?=2p

5 children were playing outside. It started to rain so some children went inside. There was only 1 child left outside. How many children went inside?

5-?=1

I had 5 chips on my plate. After eating I had 3 left on my plate. How many did I eat?

5-?=3

I had 5 pieces of apple. When I had finished, I still had 5 pieces left. How many did I eat?

5-?=5