COUNTING Activities
Counting fluency provides the foundation for mastering basic facts and creates a mental map for understanding numbers and recognizing patterns. At Trapezium Math, we expect children to develop fluency in counting "from any number, to any number, by any number". Children begin by counting forward an backwards from ones, twos (evens and odds), fives and tens. Once this is mastered, they move on to counting by multiples (3s, 4s, 6s, 7s, 8s, 9s, 11s, 12s). We expect children to master these counting challenges by the middle of 3rd grade.
Skip Counting Charts
Download the PDF and edit digitally!
Download the PDF and edit digitally!
Skip Counting is one of the best ways to develop a foundation for multiplication. Check out this video of a first grader skip counting during Math Club.
- Counting (forward and backwards) is a critical foundation skill for children.
- Level 1 skip counting focuses on counting forward and backwards in 30 seconds by ones, fives, tens, evens and odds.
Begin by having students count forward as far as they can for 15 seconds and then count backwards for 15 seconds from that point. For instance, if a child can count by twos to 42 in 15 seconds, they should start at 42 and count backwards for 15 seconds.
- Level 2 focuses on counting by multiples 3 through 12 for 15 "skips."
Set timer for 30 seconds total. Master occurs when students are able to count up and back in 30 seconds or less. See example in video above.
