First 2 Strips For Addition / Subtraction Strip Board: Red / Blue / Natural
Essential wooden strips designed to complement the Addition and Subtraction Strip Boards in Montessori mathematics. These precisely marked strips in red, blue, and natural wood serve as the foundational manipulatives for concrete mathematical operations, making it possible for children to physically construct and solve addition and subtraction problems through real-world practice.
“The hands are the instruments of man's intelligence.”— Maria MontessoriThe Absorbent Mind
The First 2 Strips for Addition/Subtraction Strip Board transform abstract numbers into tangible wooden pieces that children can physically manipulate and combine. Each red, blue, and natural wood strip represents a specific quantity through its precisely marked length, allowing the child to build equations by placing strips end-to-end on the board. This wooden material bridges the gap between counting objects and understanding numerical relationships - when a child places a 3-strip next to a 5-strip, they can see and touch that together these strips reach the 8 mark on their board. The color-coding of red and blue strips distinguishes between addends in addition work and minuend/subtrahend in subtraction, while the natural wood strips provide flexibility for various mathematical explorations. Through repeated manipulation of these wooden strips, children internalize that addition means combining lengths and subtraction means removing a portion, building a concrete foundation for abstract mathematical thinking that emerges naturally from their physical discoveries with the strips.
Step by Step to Mastery
Let the child choose their first strip to increase engagement
Demonstrate precise end-to-end placement for accurate results
Run your finger along both strips while counting to reinforce the combining action
Start with larger numbers to make the 'taking away' more visible
The gap between red strip's end and blue strip's position shows the difference
Connect the concrete strip work to abstract number symbols gradually
Let the child choose their first strip to increase engagement
Demonstrate precise end-to-end placement for accurate results
Run your finger along both strips while counting to reinforce the combining action
Start with larger numbers to make the 'taking away' more visible
The gap between red strip's end and blue strip's position shows the difference
Connect the concrete strip work to abstract number symbols gradually
Every Child Is a Little Creator
Heritage
Since 1929
Trusted by
Schools Worldwide
Handcrafted
in Europe
AMI
Endorsed
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