---
title: "Showing Your Working"
description: "Show and tell how a mathematical answer was found using objects, drawings, and spoken words"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/showing-your-working-mt_nyK25mNOeR
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/showing-your-working-mt_nyK25mNOeR.md
retrieved: 2026-11-12
---

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# Showing Your Working

Show and tell how a mathematical answer was found using objects, drawings, and spoken words

Subject: Mathematics · Area: Mathematical Thinking · Ages 5 to 6
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/showing-your-working-mt_nyK25mNOeR

## Ready when they can

- 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

## Lesson: Show what you did

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.

*(drawing: Mia puts out 2 stars, then 2 more. She counts both groups: 4 stars.)*

**Example.** 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.

**Example.** 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.

**Recap.** Show your answer with objects, drawings, or words, then explain why.

*Original lesson, questions and flashcards written for this learning dataset.*

## Practice

17 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Optional connections

- [Numbers up to 10 into pairs](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/numbers-up-to-10-into-pairs-mt_7XcCG43ZZW)
- [Number bonds to 10](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/number-bonds-to-10-mt_e8CZ7E5qW7)
- [Listening and responding](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/listening-and-responding-mt_mB7DVai-Uf)

## Opens up

- [Explaining Mathematical Reasoning](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/explaining-mathematical-reasoning-mt_kJ5wYzO8qC)