Teaching First Graders to Count
Teaching First Graders to Count
A. Counting Principles
Counting is a skill that is practiced throughout a student’s education using a variety of methods. One particular method is rote counting or standard order principle. The standard order principle is an understanding that counting is a sequence pattern that is consistent. It always begins with the number 1, then 2 follows, 3,4,5,6, etc. Sequential counting is taught by counting by ones, fives and tens. Circle time in the beginning of the day can incorporate to do daily calendar group activity. The day of the week, the number of days in a week as well as counting the number of school days since the first day of school are all part of the daily calendar math. Counting school days can begin by counting in standard order with the first day of school. Each day can be represented by using a picture or symbol such as a picture of an apple. One green apple for each day, then a yellow apple for every 5th day and on every 10th day, a red apple is used. This visual display of counting will show student which apples to count by 1’s, 5’s and 10’s as the school year progresses.
In a small group setting with about 10 students, we will first establish that students can identify numbers on a one to one correspondence by counting to 20. Manipulatives such as 20 counting bears in random colors will be placed in zip lock baggies and passed out to the group. Students will be asked to sort the bears by colors first and count demonstrating a one to one correspondence by actively touching each bear as they count. At the end, students should be able to verbally tell their teacher how many green, yellow and red bears they have. Not every student will have the same number of green, yellow or red bears so this is an appropriate activity to measure and assess one to one correspondence. Once every student has counted, the teacher can ask student to either add or subtract bears and count the bears after they’ve been added or
A. Counting Principles
Counting is a skill that is practiced throughout a student’s education using a variety of methods. One particular method is rote counting or standard order principle. The standard order principle is an understanding that counting is a sequence pattern that is consistent. It always begins with the number 1, then 2 follows, 3,4,5,6, etc. Sequential counting is taught by counting by ones, fives and tens. Circle time in the beginning of the day can incorporate to do daily calendar group activity. The day of the week, the number of days in a week as well as counting the number of school days since the first day of school are all part of the daily calendar math. Counting school days can begin by counting in standard order with the first day of school. Each day can be represented by using a picture or symbol such as a picture of an apple. One green apple for each day, then a yellow apple for every 5th day and on every 10th day, a red apple is used. This visual display of counting will show student which apples to count by 1’s, 5’s and 10’s as the school year progresses.
In a small group setting with about 10 students, we will first establish that students can identify numbers on a one to one correspondence by counting to 20. Manipulatives such as 20 counting bears in random colors will be placed in zip lock baggies and passed out to the group. Students will be asked to sort the bears by colors first and count demonstrating a one to one correspondence by actively touching each bear as they count. At the end, students should be able to verbally tell their teacher how many green, yellow and red bears they have. Not every student will have the same number of green, yellow or red bears so this is an appropriate activity to measure and assess one to one correspondence. Once every student has counted, the teacher can ask student to either add or subtract bears and count the bears after they’ve been added or