Joining Groups of Single Blocks

Focus Exploring addition with the single blocks

and number lines

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basic view of addition is one of adding on or counting on from an initial amount. This process is easily modeled with single blocks on the number lines. This approach works well for small numbers and helps to further childrens counting strategies and understanding of addition. In the beginning, keep sums to 15 or less. Then repeat these activities with sums to 30. For more advanced students, you may want to use the paper number lines and work with larger numbers.

Joining on the Number Lines

Present a simple story problem about the blocks. For example:

You have 5 blocks in one hand and 4 blocks in the other hand. How many blocks do you have in all?
Have children model the problem and find the answer. Tell the children that they are now going to do the same problem with the number lines. Ask one child to place 5 blocks on a number line. Have another child place 4 blocks on a second number line. Ask,

If you put all the blocks on the same number line, how many blocks would there be?
Have children place the blocks on one of the number lines and tell the total number. You may want to encourage children to count on as they do so, for example, saying, six, seven, eight, nine as they add the 4 blocks to the line of 5 blocks.

A child might count on while adding 4 blocks to the original 5 on a number line: 6, 7, 8, 9.

Have children work in pairs with two number lines. Each child takes a line and places a handful of blocks on it. Then the pair puts all the blocks on one line to find the total number. When they are familiar with the task, children should record their actions using drawings, stamps, words, or numbers.
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Pairs of children can then tell their classmates what they did and share their recordings. Discuss with children that what they are doing is adding groups together. When appropriate, introduce the plus (+) and equals (=) signs in connection with childrens representations. Help them to read 5 + 4 = 9 as five plus four equals nine. As children become familiar with combining groups of blocks on the number lines and with the traditional symbols, they can practice using the number lines to find sums for examples such as 12 + 10 and for solving addition story problems.

Predicting Totals
As children model addition examples or story problems, encourage them to think about what the result will be before they combine the two groups of blocks on the number line. Children may count on mentally (if adding a very small number) or count on while touching the hash marks on the first number line. They may also use their hands to approximate the length of the second quantity on the line and then think about increasing the first amount by that length. Begin with examples such as 6 + 1 or 5 + 2. Have children first show each number on a number line. Then have children place a marker where they think the line will end when these blocks are added. Counting on by 1 or 2 is an effective counting strategy and children will enjoy finding that they can predict the outcome. You can then challenge children with examples such as 9 + 3, 6 + 10, and 10 + 20. Invite children to explain how they arrive at their predictions. Have them combine the blocks on one line to check. Through repeated opportunities to predict exact answers without actually placing the blocks, children develop good number sense and intuitive mental computation skills. Such abilities take time to develop, but they are very valuable in real-world situations. Encourage children to participate in the problem-solving process of predicting answers correctly, and ask them to explain their process for doing so.

Practicing Key Ideas

Together in a Line
Write numbers less than 10 on index cards, one number per card. Children work in pairs. Each child turns over a card and shows that number on a separate number line. Children then combine the blocks on a single number line and record their work. As a variation, write addition examples on the index cards for the children to model and solve.

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Predict Exactly
Children play in teams of two players. Each team has 10 blocks and a number line. Both teams place a number of blocks on their number line. Together, the two teams decide on whose line to combine the blocks. Each team places a marker on that line to show where they think the combined blocks will end. Together the children then place the blocks to check.

Assessing Learning
1. Have the child place 6 blocks on one number line and 7 on another line. Say,

Show me how to combine these blocks and find the number in all. Please tell me what youre thinking as you work.
Does the child read the total number from the line or recount the blocks? identify the total correctly? explain his or her thinking clearly? 2. With blocks and two number lines available, present the example 9 + 16, and ask the child to find the answer. Does the child use the blocks and represent the numbers correctly? use the number lines? find the correct answer? 3. Have the child place 8 blocks on a number line. Ask,

If you add 3 more blocks, where do you think the line will end? Why do you think so?
Have the child place the blocks to check. Does the child predict correctly? clearly explain his or her thinking?

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