> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://edzo.mintlify.site/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. > [!NOTE] > > For assessable activities where learners must arrange objects correctly to answer questions, use the [Part Part Whole Question](https://edzo.mintlify.site/creating/resources/question-blocks/part-part-whole-question) block instead. ## 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 **Mode** `select` (default: partPartWhole) 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 ### Object settings **Object type** `select` (default: counter) What learners manipulate: * **Counter**: Simple colored circles * **Image**: Custom images (e.g., bears, apples, coins) **Object image** `image` Custom image to use for objects (only when object type is "Image"). **Object color** `color` Color for counter objects (only when object type is "Counter"). **Total objects** `slider` (default: 10) Total number of objects available for manipulation (1–40). ### Container settings **Part count** `slider` (default: 2) Number of part containers (2 or 3). Only applies to Part-Part-Whole mode. **Group count** `slider` (default: 2) Number of group containers for equal sharing (2–6). Only applies to Sharing equally mode. **Container style** `select` (default: circle) Visual style of the containers: * **Circle**: Simple circular containers * **Image**: Custom container images (e.g., boxes, plates, bags) **Container image** `image` Custom image to use for containers (only when container style is "Image"). ### Display settings **Show labels** `switch` (default: true) When enabled, displays labels like "Part 1", "Part 2", "Whole", or "Group 1", "Group 2", etc. **Show counts** `switch` (default: true) When enabled, displays the number of objects in each container. ### Starting position (Part-Part-Whole mode only) **Start position** `select` (default: parts) 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 **Part values** `item-builder` When starting in parts, specify how many objects go in each part container initially. ## 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](https://edzo.mintlify.site/creating/resources/question-blocks/part-part-whole-question). Assessable version where learners must arrange objects correctly * [Number Frame](https://edzo.mintlify.site/creating/resources/learning-blocks/number-frame.md). Another concrete manipulative for number exploration * [Balance Scales](https://edzo.mintlify.site/creating/resources/learning-blocks/balance-scales.md). For exploring equality and balancing relationships This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.