Math Mentor-Working with Rekenreks

Yesterday, our class was given the opportunity to work and learn with Mrs. Wallace our Math Mentor. Mrs. Wallace brought in a great tool for the kids to use. It is called a rekenrek.The rekenrek, or arithmetic rack, was designed by Adrian Treffers, a mathematics curriculum researcher at the Freudenthal Institute in Holland, to support the natural development of number sense in children.
Smaller versions consist of two rows of 10 beads. Larger versions with ten rows of ten beads are also available. Each row is made of five red beads and five white beads. This allows students to make mental images of numbers. Using 5 and 10 as anchors for counting, adding and subtracting is obviously more efficient than one-by-one counting. This tool provides learners with the visual models they need to discover number relationships and develop a variety of addition and subtraction strategies, including doubles plus or minus one, making tens, and compensation, thereby leading to automaticity of basic facts (K-5 Math Teaching Resources Website).

The rekenrek

 

 

Yesterday was our introduction to the rekenrek. The kids learnt how to use it to show the number 0-20. Here are a few action shots!

 

Mrs. Wallace explaining how to use this new tool.

The kiddos trying it out!

 

Mrs. Ashley Daley-Creamer