Taking apart means breaking one group of objects into two or more smaller groups. This is different from taking away because nothing is removed - we're just separating the objects into parts!

The Basic Idea

• Start with one group of objects
• Separate them into two (or more) smaller groups
• All objects are still there - just in different groups
• The parts add up to the whole

Simple Example

• Start: 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎 (5 apples total)
• Take apart: 🍎🍎 | 🍎🍎🍎 (2 apples and 3 apples)
• Still have all 5 apples - just in two groups

Step 1: Start with a Whole Group

• Begin with some objects all together
• Count them: "I have 5 blocks"
• This is the whole amount

Step 2: Separate into Parts

• Split the objects into two or more groups
• "Let's put some here and some there"
• Each smaller group is a part

Step 3: Count Each Part

• Count the first part
• Count the second part
• Both parts together equal the whole

Step 4: See the Relationship

• "I had 5 blocks"
• "Now I have 2 blocks here and 3 blocks there"
• "2 and 3 make 5!"

Sorting

• "You have 6 crayons. Put the red ones here and the blue ones there."
• Might be 4 red and 2 blue
• 4 and 2 make 6

Sharing

• "You have 4 crackers. Give some to your friend. Keep some for yourself."
• Might be 2 for friend, 2 for you
• 2 and 2 make 4

Organizing

• "You have 5 toys. Put some in this box, the rest in that box."
• Might be 3 in one box, 2 in the other
• 3 and 2 make 5

Action Words

• Take apart
• Separate
• Split
• Break into parts
• Divide
• Sort
• Put some here and some there

Question Words

• How many in each group?
• How many ways can we split them?
• How did you take them apart?

Two-Plate Sorting

Materials: Counters and two plates
1. Give child 5 counters
2. "Put some on this plate and some on that plate"
3. Count each plate
4. "You have 3 and 2. That's 5 altogether!"

Two-Box Game

Materials: Small toys and two boxes
1. Start with 6 toys
2. "Put some toys in this box and the rest in that box"
3. Count each box
4. Find different ways to split 6

Color Sorting

Materials: Mixed color blocks or crayons
1. Give child 4 red and 3 blue blocks (7 total)
2. "Sort by color"
3. Count red blocks (4)
4. Count blue blocks (3)
5. "4 red and 3 blue make 7 blocks!"

Snack Sharing

Materials: Snacks
1. Give child 6 goldfish crackers
2. "Share with your friend. Give some to your friend, keep some for you."
3. Count each person's amount
4. "You each have 3! 3 and 3 make 6!"

Flower Story:
- "You picked 5 flowers. Put some in this vase and some in that vase."
- Child separates: maybe 2 and 3
- "You made 2 and 3. That's 5!"

Car Story:
- "You have 4 toy cars. Park some in the garage, leave some outside."
- Child decides: maybe 1 inside, 3 outside
- "1 and 3 make 4 cars!"

Finding Different Ways

The same number can be taken apart in many ways!

5 can be taken apart as:
- 1 and 4
- 2 and 3
- 3 and 2
- 4 and 1
- 0 and 5 (if we put all in one group)

Exploring Possibilities

• "Can you find another way to split these 4 blocks?"
• Child explores different combinations
• This builds flexibility in thinking!

Challenge 1: Thinking Something Is Gone

• Problem: Child thinks taking apart means losing objects
• Solution: "Look, all 5 are still here! Just in different spots."
• Show that nothing disappeared

Challenge 2: Uneven Splits

• Problem: Child makes very uneven groups (like 0 and 5)
• Solution: This is okay! It's still taking apart
• Can encourage: "Can you make it more even?"

Challenge 3: Not Understanding Parts and Whole

• Problem: Doesn't see that parts add to whole
• Solution: Count the whole, take apart, count parts, then count whole again
• "See? Still 5!"

Challenge 4: Difficulty Finding Different Ways

• Problem: Only sees one way to split
• Solution: Model another way
• "You made 2 and 3. I'll make 1 and 4. Different!"

The Whole Equals the Parts

• If you have 6 objects split into 4 and 2
• 4 + 2 = 6
• The parts always equal the whole
• This is a fundamental math concept!

Nothing Is Lost

• Taking apart doesn't remove anything
• All objects are still there
• Different from taking away!

Many Ways to Take Apart

• Same number can be split differently
• All ways are correct
• This builds flexible thinking

Use Small Numbers

• Start with taking apart 3, 4, or 5
• Work up to 6, 7, 8
• Small numbers are easier to visualize

Make It Visual

• Use two distinct spaces (plates, boxes, circles)
• Physical separation makes the concept clear
• Can see the parts and the whole

Explore Multiple Ways

• "Can you find another way?"
• Trying different combinations builds understanding
• There's no single right answer!

Connect to Whole

• After taking apart, count all together again
• "2 and 3 make... let's check... 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Yes, 5!"
• Reinforces part-whole relationship

Sorting Laundry

• "We have 6 socks. Some are yours, some are mine."
• Taking apart by owner

Dividing Snacks

• "We have 8 apple slices. Some for now, some for later."
• Taking apart by time

Organizing Toys

• "We have 5 toys. Put books on this shelf, toys on that shelf."
• Taking apart by type

Foundation for Subtraction

Taking apart helps understand subtraction:
- 5 taken apart: 2 and 3
- Can think: "5 subtract 2 equals 3"
- The connection becomes clear

Foundation for Addition

Taking apart also reinforces addition:
- 5 taken apart: 2 and 3
- Can think: "2 plus 3 equals 5"
- Two sides of the same coin!

Part-Whole Thinking

This is critical for later math:
- Understanding fractions
- Understanding place value
- Solving complex problems

Free Choice

• "Split these 6 blocks however you want"
• Child decides how to separate
• Explores different combinations

Specified Split

• "Put 4 blocks in this box and the rest in that box"
• Child must make a specific combination
• More structured

Equal Groups

• "Split these 6 crackers so we each get the same amount"
• Introduces fair sharing
• Foundation for division

Can the child:
- Separate a group of objects into two parts?
- Count each part accurately?
- Understand that parts add to the whole?
- Find different ways to take apart the same number?
- Explain what they did?
- See that all objects are still present?

Once children understand taking apart:
- They're ready for more complex decomposition
- They can work with slightly larger numbers
- They can explore three or more parts
- They're building strong number sense!

Taking apart is key to understanding how numbers work!