Hands-On Problem Solving
Select and use familiar tools (concrete objects, fingers, ten frames) to help solve a mathematical problem
What a learner can do afterwards
- Choose cubes, counters, or fingers to help solve an addition or subtraction problem
- Use a ten frame to organise objects for counting or comparing
- Explain why a particular tool (e.g. cubes rather than fingers) was chosen for a given problem
The lesson
Sometimes a math problem is tricky. You can use a tool to help. Cubes, counters, fingers, and ten frames can help you think.
Mia has 4 stickers and gets 3 more. She lines up counters for each sticker. She counts them all: 7 stickers.
Pick the tool that fits your problem. Cubes are good for moving parts around. A ten frame helps you see groups of ten.
Tools like cubes, fingers, and ten frames help you solve math problems.
Watch it
Where it sits
Learn first
This opens up
Where this leads
Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.