Addition Strip Board

The Addition Strip Board makes addition concrete and systematic. A blue 3 strip plus a red 4 strip reaches exactly the 7 on the board — addition is a visible journey along a number line.

• Framework: Montessori
• Unit: Mathematics
• Learning area: Addition
• Level: Ages 5-6

Objectives

• Perform addition combinations within 18 using colored strips
• Memorize the addition tables through sensorial practice
• Discover patterns and commutative property
• Bridge to abstract addition

Materials

• Wooden board numbered 1-18 along the top, with a red line after 10
• Blue strips numbered 1-9
• Red strips numbered 1-9
• Recording paper with addition charts

Instructions

1. Set the board with its strip pool. 2. Choose the blue 3 strip. 3. Place it aligned to 1 on the board. 4. Choose the red 4 strip. 5. Place it immediately after the blue strip. 6. Read the sum by the last number the strips reach: 7. 7. Record '3 + 4 = 7' on paper. 8. Systematically work through all combinations. 9. Notice the commutative pattern: 3 + 4 and 4 + 3 reach the same number.

Educator tip

Use color consistently: blue for the first addend, red for the second. The red line after 10 marks the transition to 'teen' sums.

Assessment

Note systematic coverage of combinations, recognition of commutativity, and growing recall.

More from Mathematics

• Subtraction Strip Board
• Multiplication Bead Bars
• Division with Bowls and Beads
• Introduction to Fractions — The Fraction Circles
• Addition and Subtraction of Fractions
• Multiplication Short and Long Chains (Squaring and Cubing)
• Small Bead Frame
• Binomial Square — Algebraic Pattern