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Full access Geometry and maths

Number windows: different ways to make six

Six identical flat PLA counters for showing three ways to split the number six. Each counter has an oval outline made of two tracks and a central bridge made of four passes. Make the bridge first, then the outline. The finished counters remain separate and can be moved between the two fields of a paper board.

Age
7–9 years
Length
approx. 45 min
Level
Medium
Where you teach
School
Purpose
Educational
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How to run this session

Stages and timing
  1. First counter: bridge
  2. First counter: two outline tracks
  3. Repeat and build a set of six

What gets built

The pupil represents at least three ways to split the number six into two addends.

What it practises
  • Representing three splits of the number six into two addends.
  • Checking that moving counters does not change their total number.
  • Recording splits using digits and addition and equality signs.
  • Making six flat counters: the bridge, followed by two outline tracks.

Success criteria
  • Each pupil makes their own set of six counters.
  • The pupil shows three different splits of six and counts the whole set after each arrangement.
  • The record in R1–R3 on card W3 matches the arrangement on the board; in R3 the pupil also writes the signs.
  • The pupil explains why simply moving counters does not change the total.

What you need
Filament
PLA
Colours
colour shown in the illustration
Also
EDUstick 2.0 3D pen: 1 per pupil., PLA: one colour for each pupil’s own set of six counters., Work mat: 1 per pupil; place the paper pattern on the mat., Sheets W1, W2 and W3: 1 set per pupil, print at 100%., Pencil: 1 per pupil; ruler: 1 per pair to check the print., Demonstration model: 1 complete set of six counters and a board for the teacher.

Files

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Version caeb577e-cfc3-4cb0-bdf5-0b6cd4d35b26 Updated 2026-10-15

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