What Does the Equal Sign Mean?

Teachers,
This is an engaging, introductory lesson using for the Smart Boards on the symbolic meaning of the equal sign. I do this with second graders at the beginning of the year. This lesson addresses CCSS Content.1OAD.7, CCSS Content.1OAB.3. Although this is a first-grade standard it is important to review this standard at the beginning of second grade to further develop this concept and address misconceptions. Each year I am surprised at how many students do not understand what this symbol means. Many students are confused when a number sentence is not written in regular form.

I have included the screen on many slides to provide the opportunity for discussion. Students use white boards and markers to participate during the lesson. You can also ask some students to participate on the Smart Board during the lesson. We practice saying "the same as" when we read the number sentence to help instill meaning.

You can provide math manipulatives, such as chips, and have students build the number sentence with the slides. Lots of opportunities for engagement to develop the concept of the equal sign

I have included a guided practice page and a homework page with this lesson.

Have fun with the equal sign!