Suggested Grades

1-4

Objective

Students will develop their mental computation skills as well as become familiar with the idea that different equations can equal the same number.

Materials

• pieces of paper
• writing utensil

Method

• Pick a number.
  eg: 14
• On a piece of paper write down one equation that equals that number.
  eg: 10+4=14
• Tell the students the number that you thought of and have students try to guess the equation you chose to write down. Record the students’ ideas on the chalk board to avoid repeats and to give them a visual record of the number of equations that equal the same number.
• After each incorrect guess state “Could be, but it isn’t.”
• Keep going until a student guesses correctly.