L17 – WWW – Composition of 6,7,8

Working Without Worksheets – Reception Maths: Composition of 6, 7 and 8 Deepen your Reception pupils’ understanding of number with this Working Without Worksheets lesson on the composition of 6, 7, and 8. Using ten frames, ladybird templates, and counters, children explore how these numbers can be split into different parts while reinforcing the part–whole relationship. The lesson begins with a starter activity: Show a ten frame with double-sided counters in different arrangements for 6, 7, or 8. Ask: “How many can you see? How can you see it?” Encourage children to describe the different arrangements, such as 5 and 1 make 6 or 4 and 3 make 7. In the main input, the teacher introduces the part–whole model using ladybirds: Show a ladybird with 6 spots. Ask: “How many spots are there on each side?” Model using the vocabulary of parts and whole: “2 is a part and 4 is a part. The whole is 6.” Repeat with ladybirds showing 7 and 8 spots, exploring different ways of partitioning. For the independent activity, children create their own part–whole examples using ladybird templates: Place counters or paper spots onto the two sides of the ladybird. Record or explain what they have shown using the stem sentence: “___ is a part and ___ is a part. The whole is ___.” Explore all the different ways of making 6, 7, and 8. The plenary brings the class together to share and compare their ladybirds, reinforcing that while parts may change, the whole stays the same. What’s Included in the Pack? ✔ Full teacher planning with objectives, modelling, and plenary guidance ✔ Starter: explore different arrangements of 6, 7, and 8 on a ten frame ✔ Teacher modelling: use ladybirds to demonstrate parts and wholes ✔ Vocabulary focus: part, whole, makes, altogether, equal ✔ Independent activity: create ladybirds with counters or cut-out spots to show number stories ✔ Stem sentences: “___ is a part and ___ is a part. The whole is ___.” ✔ Plenary: share findings and reinforce that parts combin