Scaffolding Addition and Subtraction

 In my district we are five weeks into the school year, almost done with September.  You have already taught additions and subtraction to your first or second graders, maybe even third graders who have not mastered these skills.  Maybe you keep drilling addition and subtraction facts and hope they catch on and up to the rest of the class.

Think about what the students really need. Do they need the the drills or do they need more strategies? Do they have the number sense to use new strategies?

- Do they know how to count?

-Do they know how to subitize?

- Can they create a model of numbers, where by drawing, using manipulatives or their fingers?

-Do they know what it means to add or subtract?

Starting from the beginning can be difficult in any grade.  Here are some tips.

1. Figure our what they can do independently.  You can't begin if you don't know where you're meeting your student.  What can they do proficiently and independently. Count to ten? Model up to 15? Count with their fingers?

2. Meet them where they're at.  Once you know what the student knows you start with the next step.  Show them the strategies they need to succeed.  Give them a list of steps.  When I teach students who are struggling to add using a drawn model I give three simple steps: Draw, count, write.  Draw the circles, count all the circles, write your answer.

3. If one strategy doesn't work try another one.  Start with concrete models and then move to the abstract models.  If you move on and the student is not succeeding go back and spend more time with the counters and concrete models.

If you're looking for a resource that can help your students succeed and learn to add and subtract check out this resource.  It gives you all the activity sheets you will need beginning with drawing models and goes all the way through to adding and subtracting with regrouping.