Number bracelets provide concrete practice for number
combinations and composing/decomposing numbers.
Making Number Bracelets
Use chenille stems (cut off about 2") and pony beads to make
the bracelets. You don't need to worry about sizing them to fit
students--they don't actually wear them, they manipulate the
beads. Buy in bulk!
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Use a single color for the beads on a bracelet. Different
bracelets can have different colors (for example all the 5's have
white beads and all the 6's have red beads), but don't mix colors
on a bracelet.
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Use mailing labels for the number tags. Put the number tag
over the twisted ends to keep little hands from getting poked.
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Two common ways to store the bracelets are (1) in a large
plastic bag with enough bracelets of each number for all students
to have one, for example a bag of 5s, or (2) each student has a
personal bag with bracelets for all numbers.
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Number Bracelet Routines
Show students a systematic way to find all the combinations
for a number by sliding one bead at a time from one side to the
other. Stress the part/whole relationship shown on the
bracelet. Be sure students verbalize each combination (0 and 3
make 3, 1 and 2 make 3, etc.).

Ask students to show you a combination for a number. One
student might show 1 and 2 while another shows 3 and 0. Then
ask students to show you another way.

Students can work in pairs to practice missing addends. One
partner hides some of the beads and the other partner has to
determine how many are hidden.

Number bracelet routines should be differentiated in small
group instruction and workstations by having students work on
their own target numbers. In other words, the majority of your
kiddos might be working on combinations for 5 while others are
working on 3 or 8.
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Several methods can be used for students to show their work
with number bracelets. Some suggestions are shown below.

Put missing addend equations in a workstation with number
bracelets for concrete support for a very difficult concept.
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