Specific Learning Outcomes
The number of objects in a set stays the same, regardless of spatial arrangement.
There are multiple pairs of numbers that can add to the same sum.
Description of Mathematics
Number Framework Stages 2 to 3.
Required Resource Materials
Plastic farm animals
paper divided into two rectangles (representing paddocks on a farm).
Activity
Using materials
Problem: There are eight farm animals on the farm. How many different ways could the farmer split the animals between the two paddocks?
- Show the students the eight plastic farm animals and a piece of paper with two rectangles drawn on it to represent two paddocks.
- Let the students take the animals for a walk around the paddocks until “Stop” is called.
- Ask: “How many animals are in the first paddock, and how many are in the second paddock?”
- Discuss the result – for example, three animals and five animals is the same as eight animals – and record it on the board or in the modelling book.
- Continue repeating the walk around the farm until all the pairs of numbers that add to eight have been found.
- Make sure the students understand that there are still eight animals altogether.
- Continue to explore numbers from two to ten.
Using imaging
Problem: There are six cows on the farm. Two of the cows are in the first paddock, and four are in the second paddock.
- Show the two cows and the four cows, and then cover the four cows with a piece of material.
- Say: “One of these cows joined her friends in the first paddock. How many cows are there on the farm altogether?”
- The students solve the problem by imaging the cow moving to the first paddock.
- If necessary, have the students fold back to “Using materials” by moving one cow to the other paddock and counting how many cows there are altogether.
- Discuss why two cows and four cows is the same as three cows and three cows and record on the board or in the modelling book.
- Continue to explore numbers from two to ten.