What mathematical concept should first graders learn through hands-on activities at their workstations?

First graders benefit greatly from exploring part-part-whole relationships as it lays a foundational understanding of numbers and their relationships. This concept is crucial because it helps young learners grasp the idea of how numbers combine to make a whole, which is foundational for both addition and subtraction.

Hands-on activities that focus on part-part-whole relationships can include using manipulatives such as blocks or counters, where students physically group objects to see how different combinations can create a certain total. For instance, if they have 10 blocks, they can explore different ways to partition them into groups, such as 6 and 4, or 7 and 3, reinforcing their understanding of addition as combining parts to make a whole.

This method of learning is especially effective for first graders, as it engages them in practical activities that make abstract concepts more tangible. By understanding how parts fit together to form a whole, students also build a strong foundation for more complex arithmetic concepts that will come later in their education.