6-week session/ 45-minute virtual sessions, that's 4 and 1/2 hours of learning!
Sept. 8, 15, 22, 29 Oct. 6 (skip Oct. 13) Oct 20
11:00-11:45am

Join our virtual workshops and discover the power of addition and subtraction exploration!

This workshop is designed to provide students with a toolbox of visual models and strategies for learning addition and subtraction up to 50. The goal is to move beyond simple memorization of facts, building a deep conceptual understanding that fosters number sense and flexibility.

I. Adding and Subtracting with Visuals: Concrete to Abstract

We will explore addition and subtraction through a variety of powerful visual models that make these operations tangible and intuitive.

Ten Frames: We will use ten frames to help students visualize numbers and to understand the "making a ten" strategy. For example, to solve 8 + 5, we can show 8 in one ten frame and then move 2 from the 5 to complete the ten, leaving 3 in the second ten frame, revealing the sum of 13.

Hundred Chart: The hundred chart is an excellent tool for visualizing number relationships and developing strategies like adding or subtracting by 10. We will show how to add 23 + 10 by simply moving down one row on the chart.

Base 10 Block Visuals: We will use visuals of base 10 blocks (ones and tens) to represent numbers. Students will compare the place value and understand the magnitude of numbers.

II. Multiple Strategies for Flexible Thinking

We will highlight that there isn't just one way to solve an addition or subtraction problem. We will explore and practice a variety of strategies to help students develop flexibility and choose the most efficient method.

Counting On/Counting Back: We will use a number line to visualize counting on for addition and counting back for subtraction. This strategy is particularly useful for smaller numbers.

Making a Ten: As demonstrated with ten frames, this is a powerful strategy for sums over ten. For example, 7 + 6 can be solved as 7 + 3 + 3 = 10 + 3 = 13.

Decomposing Numbers: We will show how to break down numbers to make problems easier. For example, to solve 48 - 9, we can decompose the 9 into 8 and 1. We then solve 48 - 8 = 40, and then 40 - 1 = 39.

III. The Relationship Between Addition and Subtraction

Finally, we will explore the inverse relationship between addition and subtraction. Using the visual models from the first section, we will demonstrate how addition and subtraction "undo" each other. We will use the concept of a "fact family" to show how the numbers 12, 5, and 7 are connected through both addition (5 + 7 = 12) and subtraction (12 - 5 = 7 and 12 - 7 = 5). This understanding is a crucial building block for algebraic thinking and for checking work.

By the end of this workshop, students will have a deeper understanding of number relationships and a range of effective visual tools and strategies to help themselves become confident and flexible with addition and subtraction up to 50.