Add It! Math Game from Confessions of a Homeschooler (Photo from the Adventures of Bear)
I always like seasonal versions of activities for interest and variety. The Adventures of Bear has a version of the Add It! Math Game from Confessions of a Homeschooler that uses miniature pumpkins for the objects. Add It! is one of Confessions of a Homeschooler’s many lovely free printables. Note: miniature seasonal objects are easily found at hobby stores.
In the same post by The Adventures of Bear are other great addition activities. The first activity, the addition strip board, is a wonderful Montessori material. You can purchase the addition strip board from one of the many Montessori material suppliers or make your own.
Here’s a printable to make your own addition strip board from Montessori en el hogar.
Here’s a helpful post about using the addition strip board at home from 2 Pequeños Traviesos.
Here are directions for using the Montessori addition strip board from Info Montessori.
The more hands-on addition activities you can provide, the better. They definitely help your child understand the addition process and make memorizing addition facts much easier. With enough hands-on addition activities, your child might even learn the addition facts with little or no memorization required.
Erica says
October 11, 2010 at 9:14 amThanks for linking, I love the little pumpkins!
Deb Chitwood says
October 11, 2010 at 5:13 pmThanks for your comment, Erica! I thought the miniature pumpkins were a great idea, too – awesome inspiration from The Adventures of Bear! And thank you for the amazing Add It! Math Game. I really appreciate all the great printables you share!
Michelle says
October 11, 2010 at 9:18 amOh, I love that! I think I could make my own version here at home. Thanks for all the math ideas. What age do you think I should start these activities with my kids?
Deb Chitwood says
October 11, 2010 at 5:34 pmThanks, Michelle! I always loved addition activities and enjoyed discovering these great ideas! In Montessori teacher training, we’re typically given 4½ or 5 and up as a general age for addition activities. It really depends on the child, though. Addition often works well at younger ages with activities like the ones from The Adventures of Bear that are based on counting and hands-on materials. The activities aren’t worksheet-based at all and are a fun way to introduce the concept of addition while the child is counting with manipulatives. As long as you don’t focus on having younger children memorize addition facts or write out sums, I think you can feel safe introducing hands-on addition activities when your children have practice with and understand the concepts of quantity (counting objects) and symbol (identifying numerals).
Ashley Allain says
October 11, 2010 at 9:02 pmGreat activity! I did similar things with my 6 year old a couple of years back. This will be a perfect activity to use with our preschooler. I love these type of hands-on activities that allow little ones to manipulate concepts and construct knowledge for themselves. Love your website and will be back!
Deb Chitwood says
October 12, 2010 at 12:55 pmThanks for your kind comment, Ashley! I love doing research to find great activities like this for my activity of the week. I add links to additional activities at the Living Montessori Now Facebook page as well. I just started doing that since I find too many great activities to post here every week. Even then, I can’t begin to include them all!
Evelyn says
October 11, 2010 at 9:53 pmHi Deb! Thanks for featuring 2 Pequenos Traviesos on your inspiring blog. The templates for the Addition Strips are OUTLINES intended for those who aren’t able to print in color, or just like saving ink from the printer (that would be ME!). I’ll be happy to share them upon request.
Peace and many blessings!
Deb Chitwood says
October 12, 2010 at 1:02 pmHi Evelyn! I loved your post on using the addition strip board at home! It was great to see all the ways you applied the activity. I appreciate your willingness to send your templates to anyone who needs them. I’m sure there are some who aren’t able to print in color or want to save ink.
Evelyn says
October 11, 2010 at 10:03 pmYour blog is now on my FEATURED ON… page.
Here’s the link:
http://2pequenostraviesos.blogspot.com/p/featured-on.html
Hugs,
Evelyn
Deb Chitwood says
October 12, 2010 at 1:04 pmThanks, Evelyn! You have a great “Featured on” page!
Blessings and hugs,
Deb
Jen says
October 12, 2010 at 4:19 amI love that printable, thanks for sharing! My 6yo would enjoy this activity.
Deb Chitwood says
October 12, 2010 at 1:07 pmThanks, Jen! I love Confessions of a Homeschooler’s printable, too! I especially love the little scoop, the attractive board and number cards, and the way the miniature objects can be updated throughout the year. Have fun!