Composition of Numbers to 10 – Part-Whole Models

Help children develop a deeper understanding of the composition of numbers 6 to 9 with this practical part-part-whole maths activity. Children use counters to explore how each number can be divided into two different parts and record the combinations they find. Provide children with the appropriate worksheet and a set of counters. Children begin by placing the counters in the top part-part-whole model and then divide them into two groups. They can use the smaller part-part-whole models underneath to record the numbers in each part. Encourage children to explore different ways of splitting each number into two parts. This helps children recognise that a whole number can be composed in a variety of ways and supports their developing understanding of number bonds and early addition. The practical use of counters allows children to physically manipulate quantities before recording their ideas, helping them make connections between concrete objects, visual representations and mathematical notation. Children can practise: Exploring the composition of numbers 6–9 Understanding parts and wholes Exploring different number bonds Dividing a whole number into two parts Finding different ways to make a number Using counters to represent quantities Recording numbers in part-part-whole models Developing early addition skills Developing mathematical reasoning and number sense The activity is ideal for Early Years and KS1 maths and can be used for whole-class teaching, small-group work, independent learning, maths interventions or practical maths provision. Encourage children to systematically explore the different combinations they can find. For example, they could move the counters between the two parts to discover new ways of making the same whole number. This provides opportunities to discuss how the parts change while the whole remains the same. Using the part-part-whole model helps children develop important foundations for addition and subtraction, while the practical counter