Using One Hand

Using Materials

Problem: At Moira’s house there are 2 Duffy books. At the Duffy awards at her school children in her family get 3 more books. How many Duffy books are at Moira’s house now?

Write 2 + 3 on the board. The students solve the problem on one hand. Record 2 + 3 = 5 on the board.

Examples. Word stories and recording for: 1 + 4, 5 – 1, 4 – 2, 2 + 2, 5 – 4, 3 + 2….

Repeat the activity but replace one hand by using one column of an empty tens frame.

Using Imaging

Shielding:
Problem: Pamela has 5 Harry Potter books and she loans some of them to her cousin. She has 3 books left. How many books did she lend?

Write 5 - ? = 3 on the board. The students each put a hand behind their backs and think about the missing number. If needed students fold back to Using Materials by bringing their hands in front of them and solving the problem. Record 5 - 2 = 3 on the board.

Examples. Word stories and recording for: 1 + ? = 4, 5 - ? = 1, 4 - ? = 2, 3 + ? = 5…

Imaging Only:

When the students can solve problems by imaging without needing shielding move on to imaging only.

Problem: What is the missing number: 5 - ? = 1

Write 5 - ? = 1  on the board. The students think about the solution without using fingers. Record 5 - 4 =1 on the board.

Examples. Word stories and recording for: 1 + ? = 5, 3 + ? = 5, 4 - ? = 1, 1 +? = 3