Skip to main content
The Part Part Whole block provides a draggable manipulative for exploring number composition and decomposition. Learners can drag counters or images between containers to explore number bonds, equal sharing, and part-whole relationships. This is an interactive learning block for exploration and demonstration. Learners can manipulate objects freely but aren’t formally assessed.
For assessable activities where learners must arrange objects correctly to answer questions, use the Part Part Whole Question block instead.

​
When to use Part Part Whole blocks

Part Part Whole blocks work well for:
  • Teaching number bonds and number composition
  • Exploring different ways to make the same number
  • Demonstrating equal sharing and division concepts
  • Building understanding of addition and subtraction relationships
  • Practicing with concrete manipulatives before abstract work
  • Showing multiple representations of the same mathematical relationship

​
Settings

​
Mode settings

​
Mode
select
default:"partPartWhole"
The type of activity:
  • Part-Part-Whole: Explore number bonds with 2 or 3 parts combining to make a whole
  • Sharing equally: Practice equal sharing by distributing objects into groups

​
Object settings

​
Object type
select
default:"counter"
What learners manipulate:
  • Counter: Simple colored circles
  • Image: Custom images (e.g., bears, apples, coins)
​
Object image
image
Custom image to use for objects (only when object type is “Image”).
​
Object color
color
Color for counter objects (only when object type is “Counter”).
​
Total objects
slider
default:"10"
Total number of objects available for manipulation (1–40).

​
Container settings

​
Part count
slider
default:"2"
Number of part containers (2 or 3). Only applies to Part-Part-Whole mode.
​
Group count
slider
default:"2"
Number of group containers for equal sharing (2–6). Only applies to Sharing equally mode.
​
Container style
select
default:"circle"
Visual style of the containers:
  • Circle: Simple circular containers
  • Image: Custom container images (e.g., boxes, plates, bags)
​
Container image
image
Custom image to use for containers (only when container style is “Image”).

​
Display settings

​
Show labels
switch
default:"true"
When enabled, displays labels like “Part 1”, “Part 2”, “Whole”, or “Group 1”, “Group 2”, etc.
​
Show counts
switch
default:"true"
When enabled, displays the number of objects in each container.

​
Starting position (Part-Part-Whole mode only)

​
Start position
select
default:"parts"
Where objects begin:
  • Parts: Objects start distributed among the part containers
  • Whole: All objects start in the whole container
  • Tray: Objects start in a separate tray area
​
Part values
item-builder
When starting in parts, specify how many objects go in each part container initially.

​
Tips for teachers and parents

Best practices:
  • Start with concrete objects before moving to abstract numbers
  • Use familiar object images that connect to learners’ experiences
  • Begin with smaller numbers (5-10) before progressing to larger ones
  • Encourage learners to physically manipulate the objects to build understanding
  • Show multiple ways to compose the same number
  • Connect the visual model to written number sentences
Teaching strategies for Part-Part-Whole: For beginners:
  • Start with simple number bonds to 5 or 10
  • Use the “parts” starting position to show existing compositions
  • Focus on one number bond at a time (e.g., different ways to make 8)
  • Count objects together as they move between containers
  • Connect to real-world sharing scenarios
For intermediate learners:
  • Use the “whole” starting position to practice decomposition
  • Explore systematic patterns (e.g., all ways to make 10)
  • Connect to addition and subtraction facts
  • Practice with both 2-part and 3-part compositions
  • Link to written equations (e.g., 5 + 3 = 8)
Teaching strategies for Sharing Equally: For division concepts:
  • Start with numbers that divide evenly into the chosen group count
  • Demonstrate “fair sharing” with concrete scenarios
  • Count objects in each group to verify equal distribution
  • Connect to multiplication tables (e.g., 4 groups of 3 = 12)
  • Progress to numbers with remainders when appropriate
Assessment and observation:
  • Watch how learners approach the manipulation
  • Note strategies for composing or decomposing numbers
  • Observe understanding of equal versus unequal sharing
  • Look for connections between concrete manipulation and abstract thinking
  • Check if learners can verbalize their mathematical reasoning
Extension activities:
  • Ask learners to find all possible combinations for a target number
  • Challenge them to predict outcomes before manipulating
  • Connect to story problems and real-world scenarios
  • Use the manipulative to solve addition and subtraction problems
  • Explore patterns and relationships between different number bonds
Vocabulary development:
  • Part, whole, total, altogether
  • Equal groups, sharing fairly, groups of
  • More than, less than, the same as
  • Addition facts, subtraction facts, number bonds
  • Decompose, compose, break apart, put together