We use the Work Jobs Program and activity boxes by Mary Baratta-Lorton to bridge the gap from concrete to abstract math concepts in learning how to read, write, and count numbers and in learning about addition and subtraction equations.  To get started practicing this concrete hands on way we pick one of the 20 boards and counters.
 
 
 
 
 
 

The 6 boards are laid out on the table and whatever equations each person is working on are placed underneath the boards.  This is the Candy Jar box.  The boards are candy jars
 
 
 

Next we put on counters, red and yellow jelly beans in this box, to show the equation.  Using one color for the first number in the equation and the other color for the second number in the equation  helps us understand what the equation means.
 
 
 
 
 

By counting all the counters on the board we can figure out what the equation equals.

On little slips of paper we copy the equation and then write the answer.
 
 

When all of the equations are done and checked we can make a Tiny Equation Book to take home.   When we have mastered one set of equations then we can move on to harder equations, subtraction equations, mixed addition and subtraction equations, and making up our own equations.