Equivalent pairs

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Suggested content:

Represent equality

Use the equals sign to record equivalent number sentences involving addition, and to mean 'is the same as', rather than as an indication to perform an operation (Reasons about relations)
Model the commutative property for addition and apply it to aid the recall of addition facts (Reasons about relations)
Recall related addition and subtraction facts for numbers to at least 10 (Reasons about relations)

Coloured drawing of students playing 'Equivalent pairs'.

Equipment

Activity set-up

Print, laminate and cut out NRich equivalent pairs playing cards (ensure you print enough copies for there to be one card per student)
Mark a playing area

How to play

The aim of this activity is to find a peer with an equivalent number sentence. This problem is designed to deepen children's understanding of equivalence and offers an opportunity to practice number bonds.

Teacher gives each student a playing card.
Teacher calls out a locomotor skill for students to use to move around marked space.
When whistle is blown students must move to find a student/s with a playing card/s of an equivalent number sentence.
Students record equivalent number sentences in their workbook.
Teacher collects playing cards and redistributes to play again, naming different locomotor skills each time.

Variations

Include other operations, eg. subtraction.
1 card between 2 students
Students write a word problem that equals the amount on their card.

Combining and separating quantities