Observation
- Describe the physical setting for this activity. Where does the teacher stand? Where are the children? What does she ask the children to do? How does she confirm their understanding of addition as adding to? What happens when she repeats the experience? How do the children respond?
Application
- Which teaching practices does the teacher use to help the children understand that addition is adding to? Check the “Know” and “Do” sections for ideas.
- How does the activity involve the children as active learners? Do you see signs that the children understand addition as adding to? If so, what signs do you see?
Reflection
- This activity was hands-on. The children who took part and the children who observed could all see what happened when the girls/girl joined the group of boys. They helped to count how many “children” were in the group.
- What other hands-on activities could help children understand addition and subtraction? What materials would support their exploration and understanding of these concepts?
- What activities could the teacher suggest families do at home—as part of daily life or as a separate event—to help children understand these concepts?