Draw the Line

Here is a fun way you can practice more with part, part, whole.  Being able to identify the whole and its parts is essential for developing a solid foundation in number sense. 

First, get a piece of 8 1/2  x 11 paper and fold it in half.  (If you don't have this, you can find an easy substitute:  a paper plate with a line drawn down the middle is great, too.  The main objective is to have a workspace that is clearly divided into 2 separate areas.) 

Next, find a set of 10 objects that can be gently tossed and fit within the workspace.  Pennies, PollyPocket dolls, plastic animals, plastic people, cereal, M&M's or other small candy (kids like this option so they can eat afterwards)...whatever you have on hand. 

Decide on what number is going to be the whole and put the rest of the objects aside.  Refer to this group as the whole throughout the remainder of the activity. 

Have your child toss the whole set of objects onto the workmat.  Have him observe what part of the whole is on the left side of the workmat and what part is on the right.  Ask what two parts make up the whole.  See if he can write or state a number sentence (eg. 2+4=6) that matches the workmat.  Rotate the mat so that the left part is now on the right.  Can he come up with a new number sentence?  Using the same whole, have your child toss the objects again.  Have the same discussion about the new parts.  Continue until many or all of the combinations have been found.  For the comment box bonus activity, you may want to have your child keep a list of the combinations he makes as well as the matching number sentences.

Select a new whole and follow the procedure again. 

COMMENT BOX BONUS:  For 3 'caught being good' coupons, have your child post one of the wholes she explored and list the parts that she found using number sentences.