(1) A Learning and Teaching Resource for Addition/Subtraction 

 

As pictured I have chosen the theme of cars parked at the Shopping Centre to demonstrate the concept of addition and subtraction to children. The materials that were used in construction of the addition mat are; an A3 sized piece of green cardboard, watercolour paints (black, white, orange, blue, brown and green), a permanent marker, a ruler, a pencil and different shaped paintbrushes. Firstly, I used the pencil to mark where the shopping Centre, roads, and car park were going to be placed. Once I was happy with the positioning I used the ruler and pencil to measure and mark where I wanted these landmarks exactly, the ruler was also used to make the lines straight. After this I proceeded to colour the addition mat with watercolour paints. I outlined the shop and wrote the signs using the permanent marker. The dimensions of the addition mat are 42 centimeters in length and 29.7 centimeters wide.

 

 

The theme chosen for the addition mat relates to the real world setting, and is also gender neutral. Most students would be familiar with the shops and car parks, which allows students to familiarize themselves with the addition mat. Using moveable concrete objects engages students and allows the set task to become more enjoyable. Students will move the cars from the road into a designated parking spot and vice versa. The theme allows teachers to use a range of different materials (such as people, motorbikes, different styles of cars, etc) that they believe would best engage the individual student.

 

 

(2) The Purpose of the Addition Mat 

 

The addition mat is primarily used to help children develop the concept of addition, which is the joining of groups to find a total. However, the mat can also help children develop the concept of subtraction, which is when you know the total number and one part of the total and you need to find the other part. The addition mat will be used to demonstrate the physical findings of the missing part by starting with the total and taking away the smaller section part that is known, and then counting how many objects are left; thus showing the children the concept of subtraction.

 

This addition mat demonstrates the concept of subtraction because the mat clearly illustrates two smaller groups (the roads) and one large group (the car park), which represents joining two groups to find a total.

 

The addition mat would be an appropriate tool to use in lower primary years, however would best suit year one students when demonstrating the concept of subtraction. The addition mat falls into Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority curriculum strand Number and Algebra, and sub-strand Number and Place Value (ACMNA015). The content description is “represent and solve simple addition and subtraction problems using a range of strategies including counting on, partitioning and rearranging parts” (ACARA, 2014). The elaboration is “developing a range of strategies for addition and subtraction problems” (ACARA, 2014).

 

The addition mat resource is used in the student’s language stage as a new concept is being introduced – subtraction. Thus using real world, familiar, and concrete objects and words such as; how many, altogether, how much more. After using the resource students should be able to understand the concept of subtraction as well as the 3 different types of subtraction which are; take away, missing addend and difference/comparison. Students use the addition mat to show the total of one part, to find the other part using three strategies; count back, using halves, use 10 and always thinking addition.

 

(3) Using the Addition Mat to demonstrate the Concept of Subtraction 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4) References. 

 

Addition Cartoon [Image] Retrieved from http://classroomclipart.com/clipart-view/Clipart/Mathematics/girl_holding_addition_math_sign_jpg.htm

 

Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (2014) Mathematics. Retrieved from: http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/Browse?a=M&y=F&y=1&y=2&layout=2&browseLayout=2

 

Subtraction Cartoon [Image] Retrieved from http://classroomclipart.com/clipart-view/Clipart/Mathematics/subtraction_minus_sign_jpg.htm