> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.edzo.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Part Part Whole

> Learn how to use Part Part Whole blocks to create interactive number bond and equal sharing activities.

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.

<Info>
  For assessable activities where learners must arrange objects correctly to answer questions, use the [Part Part Whole Question](/creating/resources/question-blocks/part-part-whole-question) block instead.
</Info>

## 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

<ParamField path="Mode" default="partPartWhole" type="select">
  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
</ParamField>

### Object settings

<ParamField path="Object type" default="counter" type="select">
  What learners manipulate:

  * **Counter**: Simple colored circles
  * **Image**: Custom images (e.g., bears, apples, coins)
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Object image" type="image">
  Custom image to use for objects (only when object type is "Image").
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Object color" type="color">
  Color for counter objects (only when object type is "Counter").
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Total objects" default="10" type="slider">
  Total number of objects available for manipulation (1–40).
</ParamField>

### Container settings

<ParamField path="Part count" default="2" type="slider">
  Number of part containers (2 or 3). Only applies to Part-Part-Whole mode.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Group count" default="2" type="slider">
  Number of group containers for equal sharing (2–6). Only applies to Sharing equally mode.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Container style" default="circle" type="select">
  Visual style of the containers:

  * **Circle**: Simple circular containers
  * **Image**: Custom container images (e.g., boxes, plates, bags)
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Container image" type="image">
  Custom image to use for containers (only when container style is "Image").
</ParamField>

### Display settings

<ParamField path="Show labels" default="true" type="switch">
  When enabled, displays labels like "Part 1", "Part 2", "Whole", or "Group 1", "Group 2", etc.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Show counts" default="true" type="switch">
  When enabled, displays the number of objects in each container.
</ParamField>

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

<ParamField path="Start position" default="parts" type="select">
  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
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Part values" type="item-builder">
  When starting in parts, specify how many objects go in each part container initially.
</ParamField>

## 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

## Related blocks

* [Part Part Whole Question](/creating/resources/question-blocks/part-part-whole-question). Assessable version where learners must arrange objects correctly
* [Number Frame](/creating/resources/learning-blocks/number-frame). Another concrete manipulative for number exploration
* [Balance Scales](/creating/resources/learning-blocks/balance-scales). For exploring equality and balancing relationships