2 Using concrete representations to develop students’ understanding

Number lines

‘Adding on’ can be shown using a number line. Students often find a number line is a concrete idea that they can work with in order to understand addition and subtraction. If your students have never used a number line they will quickly become accustomed to using one. Number lines can be displayed on the classroom walls so that students can see them all the time or they can draw one for themselves in their books.

Here are some examples of how number lines can be used.