Balancing Equations in Grade 1 and Beyond

As students learn to add and subtract, they need to understand a lot about the equals sign. Many times students only learn that it means "equals" when really it is describing two quantities are the same. It's vital that we stress the meaning of "same" as students are extending their understanding of operations.

For example, when students read 5 + 4 = 9, many say "five plus four equals nine." There's nothing wrong with that, but when students see 5 + 4 = 8 + 1, now they aren't sure what to say. In fact, many Grade 1 and Grade 2 students have told me that you can't put an addition symbol on both sides.

I try to restate the equation as "five and four make nine" or "five and four are the same as nine." This helps students to think about that equal sign as a balancing symbol especially when we switch it around to 9 = 5 + 4 and have the answer first.

Here's an example of this language in one of the videos from my Math with Purpose Coaching and Video Library:

As I was coaching a teacher this week, we realized that students needed even more concrete support as they thought of equal equations. We decided to use a physical pan balance to help students see this idea of equal quantities. I created a handy center idea where students can explore this idea of equal addition equations and explore what happens to the balance. You can see a video of how it works on my Instagram page @math_with_purpose and download your freebie below.

This resource will help your students understand the meaning of equal and explore equations. It's great preparation for algebra and it begins at Grade 1.

Once they understand this concept, I want you to begin challenging them with another activity that explores comparing equations. This download has so many other ways to challenge students with all four operations. You basically get to choose your own adventure with this one.

As we challenge our students to move to conceptual understanding and to use the symbols as a way to describe actions, our students will have a deeper understanding of mathematics. It's not the way I learned but I'm learning now with my students. And to be honest, I'm gaining a much stronger number sense than ever before.

Give your students that support to really understand operations and why they work. Be sure to download these activities!