We spend lots of time exploring how to make numbers using concrete materials or counters. These hands on maths activities provide opportunities to explore number bonds. Here we are using a variety of counters such as lollipop sticks, plastic teddy bears, matchsticks and clothes pegs to find all the ways to make the number 8. We arrange the counters on the addition sheets to make 8. Once the children have mastered this concept in concrete terms they can move onto the numerical representation of the number bonds. The girls and boys have got super at telling me all the ways of making 8.