Making Elementary Math Come Alive: Rekenreks and Read-Alouds

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How can you help your elementary students master the abstract concepts of math? In these two videos, Ruth Anna Kuhns describes two ways to help students visualize math, and make connections: rekenreks and read-alouds. Rekenreks allow students to see and manipulate the abstractions of numbers; read-alouds bring numbers to life.

Using a rekenrek, a simplified form of abacus you can make yourself, students can see and manipulate the reality of addition, subtraction, and number groupings.

Read-aloud books are great for history class and English–but Ruth Anna shows how stories help students grasp the functions of math.