Activity 01
Counter Split Challenge: Groups of 6
Give pairs 6 counters and ask them to split into two groups in as many ways as possible, like 1 and 5 or 3 and 3. Record drawings on mini whiteboards. Share one unique split with the class.
Can you split these 6 counters into two groups? How many different ways can you do it?
Facilitation TipDuring Counter Split Challenge, circulate and name the parts aloud for students who are still counting each counter from one, e.g., ‘You have 1, 2, 3 on this side and 1, 2, 3 on that side—so that is 3 and 3 for 6.’
What to look forProvide students with 7 counters. Ask them to show you two different ways to partition the 7 counters into two groups. Observe if they can physically separate the counters and name the two parts for each partition.
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Activity 02
Part-Whole Mat Relay: Make 5
Set up mats with a whole circle (5) and two part circles. In small groups, roll dice to fill parts that sum to 5, then race to the board to draw and label. Switch roles after each turn.
If I have 4 red and 3 blue blocks, how many do I have altogether?
Facilitation TipWhile running Part-Whole Mat Relay, stand at the finish line to catch errors before they travel back; gently slide one counter to the other side to model a different split if a pair is stuck.
What to look forGive each student a card with a number (e.g., 5). Ask them to draw two different ways to make that number using two parts. For example, drawing 3 dots and 2 dots, and then drawing 4 dots and 1 dot.
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Activity 03
Block Combo Hunt: 4 Red + 3 Blue
Provide connecting blocks in two colors. Individually build towers showing 4 red and 3 blue, then combine and count total. Discuss how parts make the whole.
Can you find two numbers that make 5 when you put them together?
Facilitation TipFor Block Combo Hunt, ask each pair to hold up their blocks and say the split together before they move to the next number, ensuring language practice before writing.
What to look forPresent 8 blocks on a table. Ask: 'How many different ways can we split these 8 blocks into two groups?' Encourage students to share their ideas and explain their thinking, guiding them to find all possible pairs.
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Activity 04
Sharing Circle: Different Ways for 7
In a whole class circle, pass a bag of 7 objects. Each student suggests a split, like 2 and 5, and demonstrates with objects from the bag. Tally all ideas on chart paper.
Can you split these 6 counters into two groups? How many different ways can you do it?
What to look forProvide students with 7 counters. Ask them to show you two different ways to partition the 7 counters into two groups. Observe if they can physically separate the counters and name the two parts for each partition.
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Generate Complete Lesson→A few notes on teaching this unit
Teachers start with real objects so students feel the action of splitting, then connect language to actions using words like ‘part’ and ‘whole.’ Avoid rushing to symbols; give time for repeated trials so the idea that 5 can be 2+3 and 3+2 becomes intuitive. Research shows this concrete-to-representational approach builds stronger number sense than early abstract drills.
By the end of these activities, students will name at least two different partitions for a given whole, use objects to prove each split, and share their thinking with clear part-whole language. They will also begin to recognize that the order of parts does not change the total.
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
During Counter Split Challenge, watch for students who only find one pair like 3+3 for 6 and stop searching.
Prompt them to move one counter at a time and name the new split aloud, e.g., ‘If I move one counter here, now I have 4 and 2 for 6.’ Keep the search going until they list all pairs.
During Part-Whole Mat Relay, watch for students who think 2+3 is different from 3+2 because the colors or sides differ.
Have them flip the mat or swap the color cards while keeping the whole the same, then say the fact both ways to reinforce commutativity.
During Block Combo Hunt, watch for students who insist the parts must be equal because the blocks look similar.
Swap one red block for a green block in a pair’s collection and ask whether the groups are still fair; this concrete change helps them accept unequal parts.
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