Addition!

Kindergarten started learning our new math unit on Addition! Morah showed us how to add with plastic snails. Each of us had a turn while Morah gave us questions to solve. We also learned to add by using a number ladder. Each of us would start out on a number, when Morah asked us to add, we would take the steps of the number asked and solve the problem. Example....start on the number 5 and add two. The children would walk two steps and land on 7. Kindergarten also got to play with a fun math mat that asks addition question.
By using manipulative's, the children can understand the concept of addition because it gives them visuals to understand that addition means more. By putting the five snails down and telling then two more came to play...how many do we have all together now? The children understand and can see there are now more. The ladder shows the same idea. The children start on the number five and I say take two more steps, they can visually see that they are now on seven. It's important to start addition with visuals so the children can understand the concept behind addition.