Can you tell that we like the "workshop" model? :) Just like reading and writing, there is a mini lesson for math where I introduce a new math skill or work on getting to know numbers through number talks. During these mini-lessons students are often participating in solving problems, practicing verbalizing their thinking in front of the class, and sharing with their partner their math strategy. During independent practice, students are sent off to play math games to practice their math skills or participate in counting collections.
Building number sense through number talks | Math in Focus Program |
We have been looking at "quick images" together in stations and as a whole class to help us think and talk about numbers. A quick image or a number talk is an activity where students are practicing the skill of subitzing. That's a fancy word for being able to see a small amount of objects and know how many there are without counting. A series of dots is flashed at them for about 1-3 sec. and their brain examines the dots and internalizes the number based on some grouping strategy. Once we have seen the image, it is time to share what we saw. One at a time, they drew their strategy or what they saw while others listened. We started by looking at a variety of different ways to see the numbers 1-5. This activity is not only a wonderful way for students to build number sense, but also a way for them to learn how to talk about numbers, share their strategies, listen to others strategies, modify their strategy and understand another way of thinking. | This curriculum was adopted by Seattle Public Schools 2 years ago. It follows the "singapore" method of instruction and focuses on building students number sense in K. In our classroom, these lessons are used alongside others from the Engage NY curriculum and assessments from Howard County math in order to provide our students with a diverse range of math exposure and to meet all the Common Core state standards for kindergarten mathematics. Students work through the workbook pages from math in focus that attend to number writing, counting, and basic math skills. These workbook pages are a great way to practice some of those basic skills that are often assumed that students know. |
Math Games!!
Math games are an excellent way to practice new skills and get hands on experience with manipulatives.