List

To balance or not to balance

This feature for Primary teachers focuses on the concept of equivalence and showcases our balance interactivity in several guises. The tasks included aim to build on children's practical experiences of balances, using this as a context in which to discuss equality, and leading into considering ways we represent equivalence mathematically.

You can watch a recording of the webinar in which we discussed the mathematical thinking which can be prompted by these problems.

article

Getting the balance right

In this article for primary teachers, Ems shares some common misconceptions surrounding the equals sign, and suggests ways to help learners develop their understanding.

problem

Seesaw shenanigans

Age

3 to 7

Challenge level

A group of animals has made a seesaw in the woods. How can you make the seesaw balance?

interactivity

Interactive balance

In this simulation of a balance, you can drag numbers and parts of number sentences on to the trays. Have a play!

problem

Number balance

Age

5 to 7

Challenge level

Can you hang weights in the right place to make the the number balance balanced?

problem

Are you well balanced?

Age

5 to 7

Challenge level

Can you work out how to make each side of this balance equally balanced? You can put more than one weight on a hook.

problem

Sweetie box

Age

5 to 11

Challenge level

Max and Bryony both have a box of sweets. What do you know about the number of sweets they each have?

problem

Equivalent pairs

Age

5 to 7

Challenge level

Can you match pairs of cards which show the same amount?

problem

True or false?

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

Without doing lots of calculations, can you decide which of these number sentences are true? How do you know?