Read with an adult. Take your time. You can say, point, draw or write your answer.
1 Let's look together
A box in a number sentence stands for a missing number. We can use objects to find it.
To find how many more one group has, match the groups. Count the extra objects. That number is the difference.
Look, point and talk with your adult.
2 Watch how I do it
For 5 + □ = 8, I start with five and add until I reach eight: three more. Also 8 − 5 = 3.
3 Your turn
Solve 7 = □ − 9. Build the unknown whole from nine taken away and seven left.
Have a go before opening the answer.
Let's check together
16. Nine and seven make sixteen, and 16 − 9 = 7.
4 Try it away from the page
Solve: Sam has 6 blocks; Jo has 9. How many more does Jo have? Show pairs before writing 9−6=3.
Open your writing and drawing pad
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Adult notes · prerequisites, safety and coverage
Prerequisite: parts/whole and subtraction. The unknown can be at the start, middle or end. Give time for a physical model.
Use large counters, blocks and paper before symbols. Revisit a lesson until the child can show and explain the idea. Numbers grow from 0–10 to 20, then 100; these pages are not a one-sitting course.
Solve one-step and missing-number problems using concrete models.