Teaching article
The equals sign connects equal amounts on both sides
Compare the values on both sides instead of treating the symbol as an instruction to give an answer.
An equation does not always end with a single answer after the sign. Put expressions on both sides and ask whether their amounts match, encouraging a relational reading of the complete statement.
Three plus four equals five plus two because both sides represent seven.
Read both sides before deciding
Read the equals sign as a relationship between amounts. Equations with an expression on each side help challenge an answer-follows habit.
Build each side with counters. Check whether quantities match. Explain a true and false equation.
An equation can have calculations on both sides. What makes the statement true?
Use two labelled mats with equal collections.
Resources
- Maths Puzzle Generator — Choose arithmetic or missing-number questions only when they match the number relationship being explored.
Further reading
Read next
- A missing addend is a quantity to find
- A remainder needs an interpretation, not just a label
- An estimate should have a reason behind it
Explore Number, operations and fractions. Browse all teaching articles.