Shortcuts - Easy Addition
Rose was 6 years and
7 months at the time that this video was made.
The Problem
There were 4 chickens and then 3 more came. How many chickens would
there be?
What To Look For In This Video
- Rose solves the problem by counting on. She "put 4 in [her] head" and then "counted 3 more off."
- Rose is sufficiently good at counting on that, had I not asked how she solved the problem, it might have appeared that she had memorized that 4 + 3 = 7.
- Asking children how they solved a particular problem helps them to understand that there are many ways to solve problems, and to emphasize that the process is at least as important as the answer.
- In a similar vein, I suggest another shortcut (if 4 + 4 = 8 then 4 + 3 must be 7.) Had Rose not taken the suggestion I would have dropped it. It is not a good idea to practice reasoning that is not understood.
- Since Rose did take my suggestion, I should have followed up with a similar problem - perhaps one involving 5 + 4 or 5 + 6. It does make sense to practice reasoning that is understood.