Teaching Resource
Fact Family Rocket Blast Off - Addition and Subtraction Sort
A sorting activity to demonstrate an understanding of addition and subtraction fact families.
Use this teaching resource when your students are learning about fact families.
Print the rocket ships and the number sentence cards on cardstock. Cut out the number sentence cards and store them in a resealable bag so that they can be used over and over again.
Students much find the 4 number sentences that belong in the fact family that has the 3 numbers shown at the top of each rocketship. Repeat until all three rocketships are completed.
This activity works well as a math center activity.
Use the drop-down menu to choose between the full color, low color, or black and white version.
For your higher students, why not try the more challenging version:
Common Core Curriculum alignment
- CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.OA.B.3
Apply properties of operations as strategies to add and subtract.2 Examples: If 8 + 3 = 11 is known, then 3 + 8 = 11 is also known. (Commutative property of addition.) To add 2 + 6 + 4, the second two numbers can be added to make a ten, so 2 + 6 + 4 ...
- CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.OA.C.6
Add and subtract within 20, demonstrating fluency for addition and subtraction within 10. Use strategies such as counting on; making ten (e.g., 8 + 6 = 8 + 2 + 4 = 10 + 4 = 14); decomposing a number leading to a ten (e.g., 13 - 4 = 13 - 3 - 1 = 10 - ...
- CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.NBT.B.5
Fluently add and subtract within 100 using strategies based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction.

We create premium quality, downloadable teaching resources for primary/elementary school teachers that make classrooms buzz!
Find more resources for these topics
MathematicsAdditionSubtractionSorting ActivitiesMath Warm-upsFact FamiliesMath Center ActivitiesAddition StrategiesSubtraction Strategies
Comments & Reviews
Write a review to help other teachers and parents like yourself. If you would like to request a change (Changes & Updates) to this resource, or report an error, simply select the corresponding tab above.
Request a change
Would you like something changed or customized on this resource? While our team makes every effort to complete change requests, we can't guarantee that every change will be completed.
You must be logged in to request a change. Sign up now!
Report an Error
You must be logged in to report an error. Sign up now!
Help
Are you having trouble downloading or viewing this resource? Please try the following steps:
- Check that you are logged in to your account
- Check that you have a paid subscription
- Check that you have installed Adobe Reader (download here)
If you are still having difficulty, please visit the Teach Starter Help Desk or contact us.
Contact us