Equal or Not Equal?

Can I just start by saying that I'm not quite sure I'm ready for winter weather?  This week at school it has been FRIGID and we've already had an inside day because of it! WOW!  How's the weather where you are? I feel like teachers are the only profession who check the weather right when they get up in the morning. HA!

Anyway, I just wanted to stop by and show you how I introduce equal and not equal to my students!  I would not do it without these scales....for real... the BEST:

I actually love the Monkey Math scales so much that I bought 4 of them so my students could play this game in large groups:

On the left side of the monkey there are 7 bananas and on the right side there are 3+4 bananas.  The monkey's arms are even and straight because the equation is equal.  If it wasn't equal, the monkey's eyes go crazy and the arms aren't straight. 

The students draw a card and place the bananas on the according sides.  They find out if the equations are equal or not equal.  Then, I have them check the equations by adding the numbers (if applicable).

Clipart and/or fonts copyright Dianne J. Hook (djinkers.com)