Years 1–4 · Composition and decomposition
Number Garden
Grow number sense by composing and partitioning whole numbers.
- No account
- Untimed
- Immediate explanation
- Seeded challenge
Play Number Garden
Round 1 of 3Mode
Calm mode
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Curriculum and teaching evidence
Year rangeYears 1–4 (KS1–KS2)
Learning objectiveCompose and partition whole numbers using additive number bonds.
DifficultyTargets and addends increase with the selected year; distractors include near bonds.
Teaching notes and next steps
- Useful prerequisite
- Count objects reliably and recognise written numerals.
- Representation
- Number bonds are shown as two seed values growing towards one target flower.
- Common misconception
- Choosing two visible numbers because they are close to the target rather than checking their total.
- Transfer prompt
- Ask: if 6 + 4 = 10, what must be added to 16 to make 20?
- Adult next step
- Invite the child to say the whole number sentence, then ask how they know without recounting.
Checked against the official England mathematics programmes of study.
Reviewed 2026-08-14 by TheLearnDen Editorial Team. The activity does not ask for a name, email address, school, location or account.
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