How do empty number lines help students learn addition?

Addition using a number line with numbers does not help the student think on their own. These number lines can cause a student to be dependent and hinder their ability to solve problems without the number line. An empty number line allows students to create their own way of solving a problem by breaking the number down in various way. The empty number line allows students to record and share the way they solved the problem mentally. In the following examples, the basic math fact is 38 + 25 = ? The student responsible for first number line, added 20 to 30 to make 58. They then added the remaining 5 to 58 to get an answer of 63. The student responsible for the second number added 2 to 38 first to make an even 40. They then added 20 to 40 and got 60 and the remaining 3 to 30 to get 63. Both students got the same right answer but used different methods to get to 63. They broke up the 25 into numbers that were easier for them to add mentally. By using the empty number line, they were able to record their strategy and share it so that it makes sense to everyone. With practice this type of mental math will become easier and the students will get faster at solving the problems.

Below are some websites that have games using number lines for students to practice.

Number Line: This websites has a number line that has numbers on it. This website should be used early on to help students get comfortable using a number line.

Empty Number Line: This should be used after practice with the number lines with numbers.

Below is a video that shows a child using the empty number line to solve a problem.