Number Bonds in Mathematics

Students are learning about number bonds in mathematics.  A number bond symbolizes the part-part-whole for both addition and subtraction.  The concept of number bonds helps children see the relationship between addition and subtraction and promotes number sense and mathematical fluency.

Concrete: 
Students start out by using familiar objects they can interact with.  By putting counters into two groups, students learn different ways a number can be made. 

Pictorial: Once students understand the concept with objects, students progress to writing on whiteboards or in workbooks with pictures.  

Abstract: After the concrete and pictorial steps are comfortable for students, the next step is to represent these number bonds using mathematical number sentences like: 3 + 2 = 5.