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23) Fluency

Five Plus Bonds: Tic-Ta c-Toe

23.1 Fluency Tic Tac Toe

Mathematics

Develop fluency with single-digit 5 plus bonds.

Language

  • addition as “and”
  • equals as “is”
  • horizontally, vertically, diagonally

Differentiation

A little easier

Working Memory Support: desk visual

New activity coming soon. Images and download to be updated.

Place this desk visual in front of students who tend to count by ones. Encourage them to use this to help them make the representation instead of counting. Initially practise making the numbers in counting order. Once students are confident, practise making the numbers called out in random order.

Note: If students use their fingers in a different (but typical) way to make the subitised number do not make them change.  For example, many students make the 3-part of 8 using their thumb, index and tall finger. The important thing is that they make the number the same way each time, using one hand of five and the other hand with consecutive fingers ‘up’, without counting. This desk visual shows right hand dominance.

Recall Practice: subitised fingers

New activity coming soon. Images and download to be updated.

Pocket Dice Activity

The teacher rolls a pocket dice.
The student:

  • Makes this amount using fingers in a subitised way. Students must use on hand of five to practise making five-plus bonds and related bonds of ten. Students are not practising doubles. For example, 8 as 4 and 4.
  • Says the matching bond. For example, “5 and 3 is 8”
    Tip: Don’t worry if students say the bond related by the commutative property instead of the one that matches the desk visual. Both are correct. For the example above this would be “3 and 5 is 8”.
  • Fills their frame with the matching number of counters.

Students do NOT clear the frame of counters after making each number. Instead, students alter the number of counters on the frame to make the new quantity. Doing this helps students learn about the comparative size of numbers. For example, 4 is 1 less than 5.

Click this link to download the pocket dice inserts and five frames. The blank insert is for teachers to call out one of the numbers (6 to 10) that is relevant for that student to focus on practising. Typically, students need more practice to develop fluency with 7 and 8.

Pocket Dice Insert Fingers
Pocket Dice Insert Language
Pocket Dice Insert Numbers
Five Frames
Fade the Worked Example: build each bond

Represent five plus bonds with bond blocks. Make each 5 plus bond with the matching whole using a linear part-part-whole representation. Place the blocks next to the matching empty ten frame representation on the activity board.  This encourages students to make connections between the linear part-part-whole representation and empty ten frame representation. 

Remove blocks gradually as fluency develops.

  • For example, first remove 6 as 5 and 1 and 9 as 5 and 4. These tend to be the easiest of the five plus bonds to remember.
  • Later remove 7 as 5 and 2.
  • Finally remove 8 as 5 and 3.
  • Place blocks within reach in a random pile. Students can access selected blocks to check facts when they feel the need. 

Progression

In the next activity students apply five plus bonds to addition. Go to

Activity 24

Five Plus Bonds: Addition, Building a Wall