Learning Addition by Combining Groups in Nature

MatholiaChannel

This engaging animated video introduces early learners to the concept of addition through the visual strategy of combining groups. Set in a colorful park environment, the narrator guides students through various scenarios involving nature—such as children sitting on a log, birds in a nest, worms in the ground, frogs on lily pads, and flowers in pots. Each scenario presents two distinct groups of items that are counted separately before being combined to find the total sum. The video focuses on key early math themes including counting, one-to-one correspondence, and the foundational concept of addition as "putting together." It explicitly uses the language "[Number] and [Number] make [Total]," helping students transition from counting individual objects to understanding mathematical relationships. The visual cues, such as glowing outlines around the groups being counted, support visual learners in tracking the addends. For educators, this video is an excellent tool for introducing addition up to 10 in Pre-K through 1st-grade classrooms. It provides clear, concrete examples that can be easily replicated with manipulatives or acted out by students. The pacing allows for interactive viewing, where teachers can pause to ask students to predict the total before the narrator reveals it, fostering engagement and checking for understanding.