From Fives and Tens to Automaticity: Working with the Rekenrek (Contexts for Learning Mathematics)

This unit is the sixth in the CFLM series of resource books of minilessons, which all make use of strings of related problems to develop numeracy and fluent computation. The first book in the series provided number strings for early number sense, addition and subtraction; whereas, the second extended the focus of the use of these two operations to greater amounts. Book three provided 80-100 minilessons for early multiplication and division; and, the fourth book extended these two operations to greater amounts. The fifth book provided minilessons for operating with fractions, decimals, and percentages. This sixth unit returns the focus to the early years for a much needed addition to the series. It provides a developmental progression of strings of related problems using the 5-bead rekenrek to build a foundation for prioritizing 5, and the eventual using of the 10-bead rekenrek to develop fluency with addition and subtraction facts up to 10. It is an important precursor for working with the 20-bead rekenrek, which is the beginning point of the rekenrek work in the original first book of the series.