Understand the use of the equals sign in equations
I can understand how we use the equal sign to show that the whole and the sum of its parts are equal.
Understand the use of the equals sign in equations
I can understand how we use the equal sign to show that the whole and the sum of its parts are equal.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- We can write an equation to show that the whole is equal to the sum of its parts.
- The equals sign = represents ‘is equal to’. It shows us which parts of the equation are equal.
- When adding, the whole is called the sum.
- The sum is equal to the two addends.
- You can rearrange an equation as long as both sides of the equation remain equal to each other.
Keywords
Is equal to - Exactly the same amount or value.
Equals symbol - = shows that what is on the left of the symbol is exactly the same amount or value as what is on the right of the symbol.
Equation - An equation says that two things are equal. It will have an equal sign like this =
Common misconception
Children may believe the equal sign must always be placed at the end of the equation.
Provide opportunities to rearrange equations, initially where both addends are presented as one unit which balances the sum.
To help you plan your year 1 maths lesson on: Understand the use of the equals sign in equations, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 1 maths lesson on: Understand the use of the equals sign in equations, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 1 maths lessons from the Additive structures: addition unit, dive into the full secondary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
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