Equal Balance Worksheet
Grade 1 Math • NY-1.OA.D.7 ELL Language Support
Equal Balance Explorer
The equal sign (=) means the same amount as.
Name:
Date:
Math Word Bank Read aloud with a partner 🗣️
equal (=) the same amount
balanced both sides level
TRUE both sides match
FALSE sides do NOT match
Sentence Stem: "This is TRUE because both sides equal ."
Sentence Stem: "This is FALSE because does not equal ."
1
Look at the balance scale. Circle TRUE or FALSE.
3 + 3 2 + 4
3 + 3 = 2 + 4
TRUE FALSE
Prove both sides:
Left: 3 + 3 =
Right: 2 + 4 =
Both sides are equal!
+ 0
6 + 0 6 + 1
6 + 0 = 6 + 1
TRUE FALSE
Prove both sides:
Left: 6 + 0 =
Right: 6 + 1 =
Sides are NOT equal!
2
Check both sides. Circle TRUE or FALSE. Write why.
A.
TRUE FALSE
5 = 5
Why: Both sides are
B.
TRUE FALSE
6 = 2 + 4
Why: 2 + 4 = so both sides
💡 Unifix® Tip: Build each side with cubes to test if they balance! Page 1 of 2
2
Match, Balance & Partner Talk
Reasoning about expressions with equal values
Name:
3
Match Equal Expressions. Connect cards with the same sum.
Step 1: Write total in each circle. Step 2: Draw a line to match equal cards.
Left Cards
3 + 3
5 + 0
4 + 3
Matching Cards
2 + 3
2 + 4
6 + 1
Write 1 equal equation:
=
4
Balance the Scale. Write the number that makes it TRUE.
A.
3 + 1 =
Both sides must equal
B.
= 4 + 2
Both sides must equal
C.
2 + 3 = 4 +
Both sides must equal
5
Partner Trade Challenge (Fast Finishers)
Talk & Explain
Write 1 TRUE equation and 1 FALSE equation. Trade papers with a partner to check each other's work!
My TRUE equation: equal sides (=)
My FALSE equation: unequal sides
Standard: NY-1.OA.D.7 • Reason about the meaning of the equal sign Page 2 of 2
Equal Balance Lesson Blurb
Lesson Plan Documentation Grade 1 Math • NY-1.OA.D.7
ENL Expanding Level Support
Equal Sign Lesson Blurb
Instructional description and differentiation blurb for curriculum planning.
Lesson Description & ENL Support Blurb Ready to copy into your lesson plan
In this lesson, students will explore the foundational concept of equality (NY-1.OA.D.7) by reasoning about the equal sign as a symbol of balance representing "the same amount as" rather than an operational cue for an answer. Supported by visual and concrete models, students build dual-colored Unifix® cube towers on balance scales to test whether two expressions have identical values.
To scaffold our Expanding English Language Learners (ENL), students utilize targeted academic vocabulary (equal, balanced, true, false) and structured oral sentence frames ("This sentence is true because both sides equal ___") to verbally justify their thinking before evaluating written number sentences. Learning culminates in a collaborative partner trade challenge where students construct, exchange, and verify their own true and false equations through peer mathematical discourse.
Key Student Actions in This Lesson
1
Build & Balance
Students construct Unifix® cube sticks to physically balance left and right expressions on a two-pan scale.
Concrete & Visual
2
Speak & Prove
Students practice talk stems with partners to orally justify whether equations are true or false before recording answers.
Linguistic Scaffold
3
Trade & Evaluate
Students create their own true and false number sentences, trade with a peer, and discuss how they know each is correct.
Peer Collaboration
ENL Anchor Stems & Vocabulary Post on board or anchor chart
Core Academic Vocabulary:
equal (=), balanced, the same amount as, true, false, expression
Primary Talk Stem:
"This sentence is true because both sides equal ___."
Grade 1 Mathematics • NY-1.OA.D.7 • ENL Curriculum Documentation Page 1 of 1
