Week 2

1. What is your concept of “addition”? What does the word “addition” mean to you?’

1.1. When I think of addition I think of the symbol +

1.2. Adding things together to make a new and bigger number

1.3. Sally has 6 cookies and her friend Eva has 4 cookies. How many cookies do they have together? 10

1.4. Addition is used in all day to day life, with money, item, people and many more. Addition is important.

2. Addition is....?

2.1. Addition is the process of adding two or more things together to make a bigger number or value.

3. Addition mats

3.1. Are used to develop a child’s concept and understanding of addition

3.2. Using physical, movable and viewable objects to help students understand addition.

3.3. The mats help students identify what they are doing and how it all works. Instead of seeing numbers they are seeing objects and will later on be able to make connections between object value and number symbols.

3.4. Using real world examples and objects to create scenarios to create student interest and understanding.

4. If a concept is the picture we form in our heads about some entity, what is a “skill”?

4.1. Skills are actions.

4.2. Individuals learn math skills the same way they learn artistic ability or athletic abilities.

4.3. They willingly, correctly and frequently practise the actions and steps.

4.4. They may even go to a special place where they can practise the skill.

5. How much emphasis is placed on skills as opposed to concepts in mathematics classrooms? Is this balanced? Should they be equally treated? Which should come first?

5.1. Mathematic skill and concept go hand in hand

5.2. Without understanding of the concept there is no skill created

5.3. To have skill of something you need to understand the concept

5.4. Both should be equally treated and valued

6. Which is more important for UNDERSTANDING, concepts or skills?

6.1. To have the best chance of knowledge and understanding of mathematics or any subject for that manner the concept must be well understood

6.2. Understand of the concept builds the skill, without concept there is no skill