Composing Numbers

Composer to 4, then 5

Knows number combinations to totals of 4 and then 5. Quickly names parts of any whole or the whole given the parts.

Note: The goal for this level goes beyond simply memorizing math facts. The goal is knowing the “breakaparts,” which means the paired values that compose a target number. For example, the breakaparts for the target 4 are: 0 and 4, 1 and 3, 2 and 2. Knowing breakaparts means knowing the component parts in any order. In other words, knowing that 2 and 3 or 3 and 2 are breakaparts for the target 5. Often children’s earliest learned fluent breakapart combinations involve 1. For example, 1 and 1 for the target 2; 2 and 1 for the target 3, and so on. Or they combine 0 to numbers from 1 to 5+. For example, 2 and 0 for the target 2; 5 and 0 for the target 5. (When 0 is the second addend, counting on is easier.) Later, children learn combinations such as 2 and 2 for the target 4, and 3 + 2 or 2 + 3 for the target 5.

Activities

You may see this:

Other Examples:

Shown four, then one is secretly hidden, and then is shown the three remaining, quickly says “one" is hidden.

Help your student become a(n) Composer to 4, then 5

Activities promote meaningful knowledge of all combinations up to totals of 4 and then 5. Like most composing number levels, they use visual models (conceptual subitizing) and thinking strategies. For example, children understand the ideas of "add (or subtract) zero" (same number) and "add (or subtract) 1" (next or previous number). They emphasize visual models and understanding.