Both sides mean the same amount
Full educator lesson · Pupil invitation · Empty work mat · Optional home activity · Larger project · Written read-together script · Additive Work Bench
Child direction
Make a puzzle another person can check without guessing what the equals sign means. Pick one route. Show what the numbers mean, try a way, then check one result. You can stop after a useful part.
Purpose
Find an unknown when each side contains a calculation.
Complete fictional source
An invented display equation is 245+□=390+75. Find the box value and check both sides.
One own invitation
Solve 128+□=200+47 and check the two sides.
Access
Show, draw, type, sign, use your usual communication or direct an agreeing helper. Choose quiet/private work, switch a route, pause, pass or finish. One useful part is enough. A helper can read the exact words or scribe your choices; supplying an operation, count, regrouping or reason is mathematical help and is named. No speed, neatness, speech, handling or device requirement.
Routes
Id
A
Title
Small equality puzzle
Complete task
Solve 18+□=25+7, preserving both sides.
Entry or access
Represent each entire side as a whole.
Access
Show, draw, type, sign, use your usual communication or direct an agreeing helper. Choose quiet/private work, switch a route, pause, pass or finish. One useful part is enough. A helper can read the exact words or scribe your choices; supplying an operation, count, regrouping or reason is mathematical help and is named. No speed, neatness, speech, handling or device requirement.
Id
B
Title
Display equation
Complete task
Use 245+□=390+75. Create a readable substitution check.
Entry or access
No balance-scale physical claim is needed.
Access
Show, draw, type, sign, use your usual communication or direct an agreeing helper. Choose quiet/private work, switch a route, pause, pass or finish. One useful part is enough. A helper can read the exact words or scribe your choices; supplying an operation, count, regrouping or reason is mathematical help and is named. No speed, neatness, speech, handling or device requirement.
Id
C
Title
Archive equality
Complete task
Solve 2000−675=□+486. Show what is known first.
Entry or access
Use a broad labelled two-side diagram.
Access
Show, draw, type, sign, use your usual communication or direct an agreeing helper. Choose quiet/private work, switch a route, pause, pass or finish. One useful part is enough. A helper can read the exact words or scribe your choices; supplying an operation, count, regrouping or reason is mathematical help and is named. No speed, neatness, speech, handling or device requirement.