Key words - Addition, the four operations.

Purpose - Understanding the mechanics of addition.

Pre-requisites - Knowing how to count in the local language.

Didactic materials - Music.

Description - The raft format is used (see previous activities).

Once participants have internalised the mechanics of the raft, when the trainer signals to stop, he/she asks participants to form groups of 2, 3 or 4 people of their choice who are in physical contact with each other (which part of the body can be indicated). At the trainers go (or with the start of the music) the subgroups formed start walking again in the space without losing the contact they have made. At the next stop, the trainer asks that the subgroups create a larger group that is N people bigger, leaving it up to the participants to figure out what combination of subgroups to use.

E.g: Let’s assume the group is made up of 19 participants. At the first stop 6 subgroups are formed of 2, 3, 3, 3, 4 and 4 people.

The subgroups start walking again and at the second stop the trainer asks them to form groups of 10 people. At this point the participants can decide to link up the 2, 4 and 4 groups or the 3, 3 and 4 ones.

After having made sure that the operation is correct, the participants break contact and start walking alone again in the space ready for a new round.

Duration - About 30 minutes.

Variations - When participants are confident with the workings of the game, they can be asked to form subgroups and the final group without speaking.

Observations - This activity works well if the group is comfortable with physical contact.