Contextualization

Mathematics is an essential tool for understanding the world around us. It helps us quantify, measure, and analyze patterns and relationships in our world. However, to use it efficiently, we need to learn and master its fundamental concepts. In this project, we will delve into the heart of basic mathematics: addition and subtraction. Emerging as a historical necessity for counting objects, addition and subtraction are the most basic operations in mathematics and are the foundation for all other mathematical operations you will learn in the future.

Understanding addition and subtraction is fundamental for mathematics and everyday life. These simple operations are constantly used in our daily lives, from counting money to measuring distances. In addition, we combine two or more numbers to obtain a new number, called the sum. For example, if we have 3 apples and receive 2 more, we will have a total of 5 apples (3 + 2 = 5). Subtraction, on the other hand, is the inverse operation of addition. It tells us how much we have if we take something away. For example, if we have 5 apples and eat 2, we will end up with 3 apples (5 - 2 = 3).

In the real world, addition and subtraction are used in a variety of contexts. When shopping, we use addition to calculate the total cost of items and subtraction to find out how much money we will have left after paying. In engineering, we use these operations to calculate distances, forces, and much more. In science, we use addition and subtraction to analyze data and make calculations. Therefore, having a solid understanding of addition and subtraction is crucial, not only for mathematics but for many different areas of life.

To delve deeper into this topic, I suggest the following reliable resources:

• The book "Fundamental Mathematics: a new approach", by Iezzi and Hazzan (Editora Atual), offers an excellent introduction to basic mathematical concepts, including addition and subtraction.
• The website "Só Matemática" (https://www.somatematica.com.br/fundam/soma.php and https://www.somatematica.com.br/fundam/subtracao.php) has sections dedicated to addition and subtraction, with detailed explanations and exercises to practice.
• The YouTube channel "Matemática Rio" has educational videos about addition and subtraction (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Qz9JrUQ1Do and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0nivaEUXBg).

Practical Activity

Activity Title: "Building with Numbers: The Magic of Addition and Subtraction"

Project Objective

This project aims to provide students with a practical and deep understanding of addition and subtraction through the construction of a "Number Supermarket". The project will encourage collaboration, communication, and creativity among students as they apply their knowledge of addition and subtraction in a real-life scenario.

Detailed Project Description

Students will be divided into groups of 3 to 5, and each group will be responsible for creating a "Number Supermarket". This market will be filled with various items that students will create and assign prices to. They will then take on alternate roles as cashiers (using addition to calculate the total of a "purchase") and customers (using subtraction to calculate how much money "remains" after the purchase).

Required Materials

• Cardboard or sturdy paper to build the market and items
• Colored pencils, markers, or paint for decoration
• Scissors
• Tape
• Play money (can be printed or made by the students themselves)
• Calculators (optional) to verify calculations

Detailed Step-by-Step for Activity Execution

1. Divide students into groups and explain the project. Each group should work together to build their "Number Supermarket".

2. Each group should decide which items they will sell in their market. They should also decide on prices for each item, but all prices must be whole numbers.

3. Next, students should build their market and items using cardboard or sturdy paper. They should clearly write the price of each item.

4. Once the market is ready, students should take on the roles of cashiers and customers. Cashiers should use addition to calculate the total of a "purchase". Customers should use subtraction to calculate how much money "remains" after the purchase.

5. Students should make multiple "purchases", varying the items bought and the prices, to gain practice with addition and subtraction. They should also switch roles frequently.

6. After completing the practical activity, students should produce a report describing their experience and learning from the project. This report should include an introduction, detailed development, conclusions, and a list of references.

Project Deliverables and Connection to the Activity

At the end of the project, in addition to the Number Supermarket, each group should deliver a written report detailing the entire learning process and application of addition and subtraction knowledge, including the following topics:

• Introduction: Students should introduce the project, explaining what it is, why it is important, and what they expect to learn from it. They should also explain the concept of addition and subtraction and its relevance in the real world.

• Development: Students should detail how they planned and conducted the project, and the theory behind addition and subtraction. They should explain how they used these operations during the game, giving concrete examples.

• Conclusions: Students should summarize what they learned from the project, including mathematical concepts and socio-emotional skills (such as teamwork, time management, and problem-solving). They should also reflect on the experience, discussing what worked well, what challenges they encountered, and how they would improve the project in the future.

• Bibliography: Finally, students should list the sources they used to learn about addition and subtraction, and to plan and conduct the project. These may include books, websites, videos, etc.

This activity will allow students to apply their addition and subtraction skills in a practical and meaningful way, while also developing important skills such as teamwork, time management, and problem-solving.