What the equals sign means
CONCEPTUALUnderstand the meaning of the equal sign as 'is the same as' and determine if equations are true or false
Mastery Evidence
- Explain that 6 = 6 is true because both sides are the same
- Determine that 4 + 1 = 5 + 2 is false
- Understand that = does not mean 'the answer comes next' — it means balance
Assessment Prompt
“Does [child] understand that '=' means 'the same as', so they can tell you whether '4 + 3 = 8 − 1' is true or false?”
Curriculum Standards1 alignment
1.OA.7Common Core State Standards for MathematicsUnderstand the meaning of the equal sign, and determine if equations involving addition and subtraction are true or false. For example, which of the following equations are true and which are false? 6 = 6, 7 = 8 – 1, 5 + 2 = 2 + 5, 4 + 1 = 5 + 2.
Prerequisites1
- Reading +, −, and = symbolshardAges 5—6
Show full prerequisite tree
- Reading +, −, and = symbols hard
Deep understanding of = requires already being able to read and write number sentences
- Reading and writing numbers to 20 hard
Writing number sentences requires reading and writing numerals
- How Many in Total? hard
Reading/writing numerals 0–20 requires understanding that numerals represent quantities (cardinality)
- One-to-one counting hard
Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'
- Writing digits 0-9 hard
Writing numerals requires the motor skill of forming digits 0-9 (taught in English handwriting)
- Addition as combining or putting together two hard
Reading/writing the + symbol requires understanding what addition means
- How Many in Total? hard
Understanding addition as combining groups requires knowing numbers represent quantities (cardinality)
- One-to-one counting hard
Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'
- Subtraction as taking away or separating hard
Reading/writing the − symbol requires understanding what subtraction means
- How Many in Total? hard
Understanding subtraction as taking away requires knowing numbers represent quantities (cardinality)
- One-to-one counting hard
Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'
Unlocks3
- Unknown in Addition & SubtractionhardAges 6—7
- Explaining Mathematical ReasoningsoftAges 6—7
- Precise Maths CommunicationsoftAges 6—7