Learning to break apart numbers into smaller pairs is a critical step young mathematicians take as they develop their number sense. To practice this skill, children are provided with sets of three numbers and are asked to pick the two that add up to a specified sum. After correctly choosing the two numbers, students write an equation that shows addition problem they just solved. To address the needs of tactile learners, consider performing this activity with number flash cards, allowing students to physically create addition equations. This quick and simple number sense building activity would make for a great daily practice exercise in the primary grades.

Concepts

addition, decomposing numbers, equations, number combinations, numbers, number sentence

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Additional Tags

addition, decomposing numbers, equation, parts and wholes, number sentence, composing numbers, number combinations, math

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Pros

• Activity provides a different approach to teaching how numbers can be decomposed into smaller pairs
• Lesson can easily be adapted to teaching subtraction as well as addition

Cons

• A worksheet or graphic organizer is required to support learners with recording equations

Common Core

K.OA.A.3 MP6 MP7