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Breaking Numbers Apart

  • Kindergarten
  • Mathematics
  • K.OA.A.3
  • Operations & Algebraic Thinking
  • Free lesson

Aligned to K.OA.A.3 — Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.

What this lesson teaches

A number can be split into two smaller groups in more than one way.

Worked examples

Example 1

Take 5 blocks. You can make 2 and 3, or you can make 4 and 1. Both ways use all 5.

Example 2

Take 6 blocks. You can split them into 5 and 1, or 4 and 2, or 3 and 3. Every way still uses all 6.

Example 3

Hide 4 pennies in two hands. If 1 is in your left hand, 3 must be in your right — because 1 and 3 make 4.

Practice questions

  1. Split 4 crayons into two groups. What two numbers did you make?
  2. Show 6 as 5 and 1, then try another way.
  3. Break 3 toys into two little groups.

Watch the lesson

Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.

▶ Watch this lesson

En español

Separar los números

Un número se puede separar en dos grupos más pequeños de más de una manera.

Ejemplo 1: Toma 5 bloques. Puedes hacer 2 y 3, o puedes hacer 4 y 1. Las dos formas usan los 5.

Ejemplo 2: Toma 6 bloques. Puedes separarlos en 5 y 1, o 4 y 2, o 3 y 3. Todas las formas usan los 6.

Ejemplo 3: Esconde 4 monedas en dos manos. Si 1 está en tu mano izquierda, 3 tienen que estar en la derecha — porque 1 y 3 forman 4.

More Operations & Algebraic Thinking lessons

Adding and Subtracting within 10K.OA.A.1Adding and Taking AwayK.OA.A.2Ways to Make 10K.OA.A.4Quick Adding to 5K.OA.A.5

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