- Definition
Representing" means showing information or ideas using pictures, charts, or videos, and understanding why and for whom you're creating them. It's about choosing the best way to visually share your message.
Representing the number 5 could be drawing five dots, holding up five fingers, or lining up five blocks.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Representing is like drawing a picture or using blocks to show your math thinking so someone else can see it.
Ask your child: How could you draw a picture to show this math problem?
Common mix-up: Kids may think math is only about writing numbers. Representing shows that drawing pictures or using objects are also powerful ways to solve problems.
Examples
- Drawing three apples and then two more apples is a way of representing 3 + 2.
- Using tally marks to represent how many kids in the family like carrots.
- Using a number line to represent counting up to ten.
representing is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
- Grade 3 The Arts
- Grade 4 The Arts
- Grade 1 Mathematics
- Grade 2 Mathematics
- Grade 3 Mathematics
- Grade 4 Mathematics
- Grade 5 Mathematics
+5 more mentions across the curriculum
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
