Five pages on what the equal sign really means: both sides are the same. On page 1 every balance is level, with one or two groups of pictures on each pan. Students count and write the number sentence under the pans, so 4 apples and 1 apple balance 5 apples (4 + 1 = 5), 7 ducks balance 2 + 5 ducks (7 = 2 + 5) and 6 penguins balance 6 penguins (6 = 6). Page 2 puts number weights on the pans with one weight missing: 8 = 5 + ___. Page 3 matches the sides that are the same, like 4 + 1 and 5 + 0, then circles every way to make a number. Page 4 finds the value of each side and circles True or False for equations with + and − on both sides, including the classic 5 + 2 = 7 + 3, which is false. Page 5 fixes false equations by changing the last number, then fills in the number that makes an equation true, with the blank first, last or in between. Each page starts with a worked example.
Before page 1, put 4 cubes and 1 cube on one side of a pan balance and 5 cubes on the other, and watch it stay level. Read the equal sign aloud as "is the same as". Many children think = means "the answer comes next", so write 5 + 2 = 7 + 3 on the board and ask whether it is true before anyone works it out. Then let partners build their own true and false equations with cubes for page 4.
Make two piles of snacks or coins, like 4 and 1 in one pile and 5 in the other, and ask whether both sides are the same. Then say an equation out loud, such as "6 plus 2 is the same as 10 take away 2", and let your child tell you whether it is true. Swap turns and try to trick each other.
This pack supports the following Common Core State Standards for Mathematics:
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A 5-page equal sign pack for 1st grade: the equal sign means "the same as". Count the pictures on each pan of a level balance and write the number sentence, like 4 + 1 = 5 and 7 = 2 + 5, then find the missing number on balances with number weights. Match the sides that are the same, such as 4 + 1 and 5 + 0, and circle every way to make a number. Find the value of each side and circle True or False for equations with + and − on both sides, like 6 + 2 = 10 − 2 and 5 + 2 = 7 + 3, fix the false ones and write the number that makes an equation true. Numbers within 20. Every page comes in color and in black and white. Answer keys included.
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