New
New
Year 1
Understand the use of the equals sign in equations
I can understand how we use the equal sign to show that the whole and the sum of its parts are equal.
New
New
Year 1
Understand the use of the equals sign in equations
I can understand how we use the equal sign to show that the whole and the sum of its parts are equal.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- We can write an equation to show that the whole is equal to the sum of its parts.
- The equals sign = represents ‘is equal to’. It shows us which parts of the equation are equal.
- When adding, the whole is called the sum.
- The sum is equal to the two addends.
- You can rearrange an equation as long as both sides of the equation remain equal to each other.
Keywords
Is equal to - Exactly the same amount or value.
Equals symbol - = shows that what is on the left of the symbol is exactly the same amount or value as what is on the right of the symbol.
Equation - An equation says that two things are equal. It will have an equal sign like this =
Common misconception
Children may believe the equal sign must always be placed at the end of the equation.
Provide opportunities to rearrange equations, initially where both addends are presented as one unit which balances the sum.
Say 'is equal to' rather than 'makes' to emphasise that the expression on each side has the same value. Use correct mathematical vocabulary. Avoid referring to equations as 'sums', so children understand that 'sum' means the total amount.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on
Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
The image shows a whole group of pebbles that has been partitioned into two parts, large pebbles and small pebbles. Tick all the numbers that will complete the stem sentence, ___ is a part.

8
Q2.
Which two images represent the equation 5 + 3 ?



Q3.
There are 7 counters on a tens frame. Which expressions could correctly represent the counters?

7 + 3
Q4.
Using numerals and the plus sign, represent the picture in two ways.

8 + 3
5 + 8
Q5.
Which one of the following cannot represent the picture?

4 + 3
3 + 4
Q6.
Which of the following correctly represent this image?

3 + 2
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Tick all the options which could describe the picture.

5 is the whole, 4 is a part and 9 is a part.
Q2.
Look at the equation. 4 + 3 = 7. Match each number to the correct word to describe it.
part
part
whole
Q3.
Which picture matches the part-part-whole model?




Q4.
Write an equation to match this picture, partitioning the teddies by size (small and large). Do not use spaces in your equation.

Q5.
Which equation could match the part-part-whole model?

10 + 6 = 4
4 + 10 = 6
Q6.
Jacob writes this equation. Which of the following could represent the same picture.

5 = 6 + 1
6 + 5 = 1