This activity addresses:
- Beginning addition skills
- Number conservation
- Fine motor skills
- Alternative methods of access
What you need:
- Locking sandwich bags
- Small manipulatives (bingo chips, shapes, animals, etc.) must all be the same kind.
- Permanent marker or masking tape
- Numeral and plus sign symbol cards
- BIG or LITTLEmack
- Step-by-Step
Preparation:
- Prepare sandwich bags by drawing or taping a vertical line down the center of the bag.
- If appropriate, record numbers to Step-by-Step for counting.
- Create appropriate overlays with the AbleNet Symbol Overlay Maker app.
What to do:
- Place manipulatives in the bag; amount will vary depending on each student’s skill level. Show the student the side without the marker or tape line, and ask the students to count how many.
- Students count the number of manipulatives in the bag. Record this number to the BIG or LITTLEmack and place the corresponding number card on it.
- Turn the bag over, and have the students separate the manipulatives into groups on either side of the line.
- Have the student count the number in each new set they created. Place the corresponding number card on each side of the bag.
- Show the student that the two smaller sets can be joined to make the original number by placing a plus and equals signs in the correct spaces.
Script:
- “Good, you counted 5. Can you separate the set of 5 into two smaller sets?”
- “Good, now we have sets of 1 and 4.” “1 and 4 make 5”
Additional suggestions:
The BIG or LITTLEmack should always have the original number that was in the bag recorded on it for students to reference in case they forget. The Step-by-Step should be used for counting.
This activity can also be used for subtraction by taking a separated set away.