Decompose, Branching and Number Bonds Video Lessons (K-2)

This resource provides strategies and tools for decomposing numbers through the use of branching. Branching* is simply a strategy of breaking apart and associating numbers in a way that creates friendly landmark numbers. This directly ties to the Common Core standards tagged in this resource as the focus of branching is based on place value and properties. These strategies work well with decomposing whole numbers, fractional quantities, and also when doing various units of measurement (feet, hours, pounds, etc).
*Don't caught up in the different terms people use such as branching, decomposing, breaking apart, composing, or number bonds.  Just be consistent with what term you use with students.  Decompose and number bond are important Common Core terms, but it is wise to occasionally intermingle other terms in lessons like saying "decompose or break apart".  It defines the harder word and expands vocabulary.

Number Bracelets - Kindergarten

K.OA.A.3
Decompose numbers less than or equal to 10 into pairs in more than one way, e.g., by using objects or drawings, and record each decomposition by a drawing or equation (e.g., 5 = 2 + 3 and 5 = 4 + 1).

Number Bracelet Worksheets
Bracelets, Bonds, and Branching Strategies
Branching Practice

Number Bonds - Kindergarten and First Grade

K.OA.A.3
Decompose numbers less than or equal to 10 into pairs in more than one way, e.g., by using objects or drawings, and record each decomposition by a drawing or equation (e.g., 5 = 2 + 3 and 5 = 4 + 1).
1.OA.A.1 through 8 (Represent and solve problems involving addition and subtraction.)
Decompose numbers less than or equal to 10 into pairs in more than one way, e.g., by using objects or drawings, and record each decomposition by a drawing or equation (e.g., 5 = 2 + 3 and 5 = 4 + 1).

From Bonds to Branching - Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade

K.OA.A.3
Decompose numbers less than or equal to 10 into pairs in more than one way, e.g., by using objects or drawings, and record each decomposition by a drawing or equation (e.g., 5 = 2 + 3 and 5 = 4 + 1).
1.OA.A.1 through 8 (Represent and solve problems involving addition and subtraction.)
Decompose numbers less than or equal to 10 into pairs in more than one way, e.g., by using objects or drawings, and record each decomposition by a drawing or equation (e.g., 5 = 2 + 3 and 5 = 4 + 1).
2.OA.A.1 (Represent and solve problems involving addition and subtraction.)
Use addition and subtraction within 100 to solve one- and two-step word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing, with unknowns in all positions, e.g., by using drawings and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.
2.OA.B.2 (Add and subtract within 20.)
Fluently add and subtract within 20 using mental strategies.2 By end of Grade 2, know from memory all sums of two one-digit numbers.
2.NBT.B.5 (Use place value understanding and properties of operations to add and subtract.)
Fluently add and subtract within 100 using strategies based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction.