Are you ready to move beyond “I do, we do, you do” and build real mathematical thinking in your classroom?

This teacher script walks you step-by-step through how to teach the split-up (decomposing) addition strategy using an inquiry-based model that prioritizes reasoning, flexibility, and conceptual understanding over rote procedure.

Instead of students copying a method, they discover why the strategy works.

Designed by a teacher with a background in Life Sciences and a Bachelor of Education with an emphasis on critical thinking in mathematics, this resource helps you facilitate rich math conversations while maintaining clarity and structure.

What Makes This Different?

✔ Moves away from procedural teaching
✔ Encourages student thinking and strategy sharing
✔ Builds number sense and place value understanding
✔ Supports differentiated discussion
✔ Provides clear teacher language and questioning prompts

This script supports you in:

• Launching the problem in a way that sparks curiosity
• Guiding students to notice patterns and relationships
• Asking purposeful questions that deepen thinking
• Anticipating common misconceptions
• Consolidating learning meaningfully

What’s Included:

• Detailed teacher script
• Suggested prompts and inquiry questions
• Anticipated student responses

Perfect For:

• Grade 1–3 classrooms
• Teachers building number sense
• Educators shifting toward inquiry-based math
• Anyone wanting students to understand place value — not just follow steps

If you’re passionate about developing confident, flexible mathematicians who truly understand numbers, this resource will help you facilitate powerful learning conversations while maintaining structure and clarity.

Let’s move beyond procedures - and into thinking.