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Parent Guide — K.OA.A.3

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Kindergarten Math · Operations & Algebraic Thinking

What this standard means

Your child learns to break a number ≤ 10 into pairs in more than one way, and record each way with a drawing or equation.

Example for 5: 5 = 2 + 3 and also 5 = 4 + 1 (and more).

Why it matters at home

  • Snap cubes: break a train of 8 into two parts, then try another break
  • Sharing 6 grapes between two plates in different ways
  • “How else can we make 7?” with fingers
  • Two-color counters (red/yellow) to show partners
  • Recording 9 = 5 + 4 on paper after building it

Connected standards

  • Builds on:
  • `K.OA.A.1` — representing parts and wholes with objects
  • `K.CC.B.4` — knowing totals when parts are counted
  • Connects within grade:
  • `K.OA.A.4` — special case: partners that make 10
  • `K.OA.A.2` — using decompositions to solve stories
  • Leads to:
  • `1.OA.B.3` — apply properties / regroup addends
  • `1.OA.C.6` — add/subtract within 20 using strategies from decomposing
  • `K.NBT.A.1` — teens as 10 + ones (related compose/decompose idea)

Try these together (this standard)

1. Find two different ways to make 6 with two parts. Record both (drawing or equation). 2. For 8, show 8 = 3 + 5. Find another pair. 3. Use two-color counters: shake 7, spill, and write the red + yellow equation.

Problems that show the connections

1. (Uses K.OA.A.4) List partners of 10 (this standard’s “more than one way” idea focused on 10). 2. (Uses K.OA.A.2) “You need 9 muffins. You already baked 4. How many more?” Use a decomposition of 9. 3. (Uses K.OA.A.1) Build 5 = 1 + 4 with fingers, then switch to 2 + 3 without changing the total.

How you can help

  • Ask “What’s another way?” after the first pair
  • Keep the whole number visible (don’t hide the total)
  • Record with equations when ready: 5 = 2 + 3
  • Use consistent objects so the total feels stable
  • Celebrate multiple solutions — there isn’t one “right pair”
  • Work within ≤ 10

Answer key

1. Examples: 1+5, 2+4, 3+3, 0+6 (any two distinct) 2. Examples: 1+7, 2+6, 4+4, … 3. Depends on spill (e.g., 2+5) 4. Partners of 10: 1+9 … 5+5 … 5. 5 more 6. Same total 5

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