Showing Your Working
Show and tell how a mathematical answer was found using objects, drawings, and spoken words
What a learner can do afterwards
- Use objects or drawings to demonstrate how an addition or subtraction was solved
- Respond to 'how do you know?' by pointing to objects or a drawing and describing what was done
- Listen to a peer's explanation and say whether they agree or disagree
1 · Read
Show how you found your answer with objects, a drawing, or words. To show addition, make the starting group and the group you add. Count both groups together. Count each object once. Tell someone what you did.
Jack has 7 blocks and takes 3 away. He draws all 7 blocks first. Then he crosses out 3. He counts only the blocks without crosses: 4. Leave the crossed-out blocks visible. Erasing them hides what he took away. His drawing shows the start, what he took away, and what is left.
When someone asks 'how do you know?', point to your objects or drawing. Tell what you did and how you checked the count. Giving only the answer does not explain the steps.
Listen to a friend's explanation. Check that their objects and steps fit the problem. Say whether you agree and give a reason. If a step is missing, ask about it. If the count does not match, offer to count together.
Check each part of a drawing against the problem. For 8 plus 1, show 8 dots and 1 more dot. Drawing 2 extra dots would show a different problem. For taking away, check how many objects were crossed out.
Different objects can show the same calculation. For 1 plus 2, count 1 block and 2 more blocks. Then draw 1 dot and 2 more dots. Both show 3. The shapes can differ. Check that the numbers and actions still fit the problem.
Show your answer with objects, drawings, or words, then explain why.
Original lesson, questions and flashcards written for this learning dataset.
Readings and practice questions written for this learning dataset.
More to read
Let someone follow your count
Put out 2 buttons. Add 1 more. Touch each button once as you count: 1, 2, 3. Tell someone, 'I started with 2 and added 1. I counted 3 buttons.' Your objects and words show how you found the answer.
Show what you took away
Draw every object you started with. Cross out the objects you take away. Count only the objects without crosses. Tell someone how many you had, how many you took away, and how many are left. They can check each part of your drawing.
Does the picture fit?
Read the problem and check your drawing. Does each group have the number you need? Did you add objects or cross them out as the problem asks? If one part does not match, change that part. Then count again, touching each object once.
Ask about a missing step
A friend says, 'I took some blocks away.' You do not yet know how many. Ask, 'How many blocks did you take away?' Listen to the reply and check the drawing. Then say whether you agree and tell your friend what you checked.
2 · Watch
En anglaisTake it off screen
Where it sits
Learn first
Nothing; this is a starting point.
Optional connections
This opens up
Where this leads
Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.
17 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.