Part Part Whole Relationships

Part part whole relationships involve seeing numbers as being made of two or more parts.    Researchers say this is a major conceptual achievement of the early years.  It has been shown to increase understanding of place value, number concepts and help students unravel word problems.  Math In Focus uses this approach in the early grades.  Children start with concrete objects, then move on to pictorial representations, then on to abstract.  Students in grade one begin working with number bonds to develop that strong understanding.