Grade
K

How Many Are Hidden? Number Rack

What do you notice? How many beads do you see?

A number rack with 5 red beads and 5 white beads.

Now some beads are hiding behind the screen. How many are hidden? Use math words, numbers, or pictures to explain how you know.

The number rack with 4 red beads visible. The rest are covered.

Challenge

What equations match the picture? How do you know?

The number rack shows that 1 red bead and 5 white beads were under the cover. Remember, 4 red beads were not covered. Which equations explain how many beads were under the cover? 10 = 3 + 7. 6 + 4 = 10. 10 minus 6 = 4. 10 minus 2 = 8.

Follow-up

Use the MLC Number Rack app or draw a picture to show a different number of beads hiding. How many are hidden?

Printable Version

Google doc for printing and copying

Seesaw Version

Activity for the Seesaw platform

Reference for Educators

Sample problems and solutions