Teaching Mathematical Thinking | Rekenrek, Abacus and Number lines

Building deep number sense in the elementary grades gives your students a rock-solid foundation to build math knowledge and understanding. 

The purpose of teaching math with hands-on tools and manipulatives is to help students discover and develop number sense. Number sense is the foundation of everything students do in math and in so many other STEM fields.  Using a linear teaching process "concrete-to-representational/ pictorial-to-abstract sequence of instruction" ensures students are guided to make deep mathematical connections. Building deep math understanding is critical for student math success and it starts with concrete hands-on practice. When working with a Rekenrek or Abacus students' Mathematical thinking, mathematical problem solving, and heuristical thinking are uncovered, discovered, and internalized by students. Students play with hands-on manipulatives and make amazing Eureka moments. Students truly have a deep understanding of the foundations of math. School systems that use hands-on manipulatives like the Japanese Soroban create students with amazing mathematical skills who love math. Using hands-on manipulatives is the fastest way to teach the 4 Number Relationships. 

Four Number Relationships

1. Number Relationship 1: Understanding Subitizing.
2. Number Relationship 2: One and Two More or Less.
3. Number Relationship 3: Making Friendly Numbers 5 and 10.
4. Number Relationship 4: Understanding Part-Part-Whole.

How do you teach mathematical problem solving with an abacus?

How do you teach and develop Number Sense, Numeracy, and Mathematical Literacy?

How do you teach number sense?

Learning to Think Mathematically with the Rekenrek PDF
by J Frykholm · 2008 · Cited by 3 — The Rekenrek provides a visual model that encourages young learners to build numbers in groups of five and ten, to use doubling and halving strategies, and to ...

Using the Rekenrek as a Visual Model for Strategic ...PDF
by B Blanke · 2008 · Cited by 16 — Have students represent the numbers using the fewest possible bead moves. Instructions for It Takes Two to Build a Number. Ask a student to be your

Learning to Think Mathematically With the Rekenrek PDF
The Rekenrek is a powerful tool that helps children see “inside” numbers (“subitize”), develop cardinality (one-to-one correspondence), and work flexibly with.

Addition Fact Strategies: Rekenreks PDF
This resource was created by Patricia Maxwell from Coventry Public Schools in Rhode Island to help with virtual mathematics instruction and intervention.
2 pages

teaching numeracy through rekenrek - PDF
by SKS Shanmugam · Cited by 1 — powerful tool for teaching a range of strategies for addition and subtraction ... explore teachers' perception in using rekenrek as mathematics manipulative.
13 pages

(PDF) Rekenrek: A Manipulative Used to Teach Addition and ...
The rekenrek looks like an abacus, but differs in that it is based on a ... Traditional mathematics education for students with learning disabilities has ...

Math Resource--Using Rekenreck As A Visual Model PDF
Using the Rekenrek. Here are some strategies we've seen students use for solving 9+8 on the rekenrek.