Kindergarten · Math · week 16

Number bonds: parts and a whole

Understand a number bond as a whole split into two parts, such as 5 made of 2 and 3, and use bonds to relate addition and subtraction.

A number bond shows a whole and its two parts. Five is the whole. Two and three are the parts that make it. We draw the whole on top and the two parts below, connected by lines.

Number bonds work both ways. If you know the whole and one part, you can find the missing part. 5 is the whole, 2 is a part, so the missing part is 3.

📋 For the teacher
Teach it (10–15 min):
  • Draw a simple bond: a circle on top for the whole, two circles below for the parts, connected by lines.
  • Use 5 objects. Split them into two parts and fill in the bond together.
  • Say it both ways out loud: 2 and 3 make 5, and 5 take away 2 leaves 3.
  • Keep the whole at 5 this week. This is about the structure of the idea, not big numbers.
Talk about it:
  • What is a number bond?
  • If you know the whole and one part, how do you find the other part?
  • How are addition and subtraction connected in a bond?

Mastery looks like: They complete a number bond for 5, finding a missing part, and explain how it links an addition and a subtraction fact.

Common stumbles: Confusing which circle is the whole and which are the parts; not seeing that the same three numbers make two related facts.

See it visually

Interactive, spoken-aloud tools that show this idea in motion.

Counting & Ten-FramesCount objects in ten-frames and base-ten blocks, one tap at a time.try →SubtractionTake away and count back, step by step.try →AdditionSee groups combine — with counters, blocks, and the number line.try →
Homework for this lessonType it, write it with a stylus, or print it for pencil & paper.open →
Records attendance + 15 min of Math for this learner.
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