Number Bonds

Number Bonds in IB PYP Grade 1 Mathematics

A number bond shows how a whole number splits into two parts, for example 10 is 6 and 4. Knowing number bonds to 10 and 20 makes mental addition and subtraction much faster, and bonds lead naturally to fact families.

PYP learning is inquiry-based, so every worksheet here is short, colourful and playful, with a friendly animal guide and a teacher answer key on page 2.

What learners practise

Part-part-whole bond circles
Pairs that make 5 and 10
Using ten frames to find missing partners
Bonds to 20 using 10 as a helper
Fact families linking adding and subtracting

Number bonds at a glance

Bonds to 5: 1 + 4, 2 + 3
Bonds to 10: 1 + 9, 2 + 8, 3 + 7, 4 + 6, 5 + 5
Bonds to 20: 10 + 10, 12 + 8, 15 + 5
Fact family: 3, 4 and 7 make 3 + 4, 4 + 3, 7 − 3 and 7 − 4

For students

Read each instruction carefully, try every question and colour the animal when you finish.

For parents

Print on A4, read the instructions aloud together and let your child work alone before you check.

For teachers

Use a worksheet as a starter, homework or exit ticket. Each one has a name, class and date box and an answer key.

Teaching tip

Practise bonds to 10 with your fingers: show 10 fingers, fold some down and ask “How many are left up?”

Quick answers

Who is the Number Bonds page for?

It is for IB PYP Grade 1 Mathematics learners, typically aged 6–7, and for the parents and teachers who support them.

Why are number bonds important?

They help children see numbers as made of parts, which makes adding, subtracting and later multiplying much easier.

Which number bonds should my child know first?

Start with bonds to 5, then to 10, then use 10 as a stepping stone for bonds to 20.

How should I use these worksheets?

Pick one worksheet, let your child try it without help first, then check together with the answer key on page 2. Short sessions of five to ten minutes, a few times a week, work best.