Addition can be fun!

What has been in our classroom?

"It's the Easter bunny!"
"It's a dinosaur egg!"
"It's a fairy!"
"No it's the dragon look!"

The children were very excited to find a golden egg when they came back from assembly. After reading the story they realised that the letter was from the princess. The letter asked the children if they could work out the addition equations using a number bond digram, which the children are familiar with. Inside the egg was two equations to get them started.

What does addition mean? 

The children were taught what addition means and when they might need to use it. We also explored what happens to number as we add. The children realised after a few attempts that the number gets bigger. As a class, the equations were demonstrated by using the two parts to make a whole. The first method used was objects so that the children could understand the need to count the amount altogether to find the total. By the end of the week the children were explored concrete, symbolic and abstract methods. They then chose their preferred method to solve and create addition equations.

The provision was set up so that the children could apply their work inside and outside of the classroom. To encourage this, eggs were hidden in the garden with equations inside.