Today in math we began our unit on subtraction. One easy way to present subtraction is as parts of a whole - this also works for addition. 13 can be made up from 6 and 7. So 6+7=13 but 13-6=7 and 13-7=6.
When we use number bonding - those things that look like circles attached to each other - we are really creating a thought of the numbers which works both for addition and subtraction and the students think of 6 and 7 as part of 13. This makes addition and subtraction with those numbers much easier for them.
However, some students have a difficult time with this concept. Using a pile of 13 paperclips (M & M's also work, except they seem to disappear) is one way of making this idea easier for them to picture in their minds. Putting the paperclips (or any other tangible object) into the two groups after being the whole number makes it easier to put the numbers into the circles.
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