Contact UsBuilding Strong Number Sense with Numbers 0-5
Teaching the numbers 0-5 may seem pretty straightforward, but educators know building strong number sense with numbers 0-5 involves a series of important strategies and activities. Likewise, throughout our instruction, we balance understanding numbers and number relationships.
Numbers 0-5 Focus and Objectives
For our learning focus and objectives, we will cover the following six concepts:
- Use one-to-one correspondence when counting
- Count 0-5 objects and pictures accurately
- Identify objects and numbers 0-5
- Write numbers 0-5 using the correct formation
- Use five frames to count and see sets 0-5 as structured arrangements
- Begin to recognize the number of sets of items or pictures automatically (subitizing)
Visual Tools for Teaching Number Sense 0-5
Numbers 0-5 is the second topic or unit in the Total Math series. We begin the year with Unit 1, Building Math Community. Before we begin our studies of Numbers 0-5, we want to highlight that we explicitly teach the vocabulary of math and math strategies throughout the lessons. When these important components of effective math instruction are woven into our math lessons, they enhance the foundation of math understanding in our young learners.
Math Vocabulary for Numbers 0-5
The academic language of math is a cornerstone of math learning because it is necessary to understand and convey mathematical concepts fully and accurately. When we explicitly teach math vocabulary, we equip our students with the correct words to understand and express their math ideas. Effective math communication is one of the areas shown to need improvement nationwide in recent studies. For kindergarten, we use visual math vocabulary. This means all of the space on the math vocabulary card is used for the word and an image rather than a written definition of the term.
Effective math communication fosters collaborative learning and helps students develop critical thinking skills as they justify their solutions and understand different perspectives.
Math Strategies for Numbers 0-5
Teaching math strategies equips students with a toolkit of methods and ideas on how to approach and solve problems. By knowing multiple ways to approach a problem, students are empowered to tackle math tasks confidently. Students use the math strategy ideas and information to choose an effective procedure for solving. Over time, having this knowledge enhances their ability to solve problems efficiently and accurately.
Building Strong Number Sense with Numbers 0-5
Total Math balances direct instruction, teacher-led learning, and collaborative math activities for students. While it sounds like a lot, we’ve streamlined the process into simple-to-teach lessons with aligned high-quality instructional content.
To start, each math warm-up is a click away. For example, the warm-up for lesson six asks, “What can you count?” Students take a look at the ladybug image and can volunteer to count the ladybugs, antennae, heads, or even spots. The teacher can further highlight the math strategies students have learned by asking them which strategy they used for counting.
The number fluency activity for lesson six (on the right) is also a prepared slide for the teacher. Each number fluency slide provides a fun way for students to practice their counting standards every day of the school year. This one, named Counting Goals, has students counting up from 30 to 40 and then back down again.
Whole Group Math Lessons and Interactive Teaching Slides
Below, you can see lesson one introduces the math strategy: Count Out Loud, then students and teacher progress through teaching slides as they do just that (not all slides are shown from the full lesson).
The math strategies are embedded in the whole group direct math instruction teaching slides. This consistency makes teaching effective yet simple for teachers because everything is aligned and ready to be taught.
The review lesson below has students counting, representing, moving, counting, and writing numbers (not all slides are shown from the full lesson).
Teacher-Led Learning Differentiating For Numbers 0-5
The lesson plans flow from whole group instruction to teacher-led learning allowing for scaffolding and differentiation. Any materials needed for teacher-led learning follow each lesson plan. Below, in lesson five, the teacher can lead groups or individual students through the number work mat with manipulatives and dry-erase markers to strengthen representing numbers, number formation, or if ready, students can do, “The Number Three” guided practice page bringing more of a challenge.
Numbers 0-5 Math Workstations
One of our favorite parts of Total Math is the aligned math workstations. Each day there are four student stations or centers to reinforce the learning. Four stations may not be doable at this point in kindergarten, but they are there for spiral review any time of year.
Hands-on Math for Numbers 0-5
A hands-on math station provides students the opportunity to show physical evidence of thinking and reasoning. Students solve problems and make sense of mathematical ideas. For the numbers 0-5, students work on identifying, representing, counting, writing, and fine motor skills too!
Technology Math Stations
For math on technology, there are ten different self-checking technology games for Numbers 0-5. These are ready for Google Classroom (Google Slides) and require no prep. Highly engaging technology games have students begging to read, count, and identify numbers!
As a measure of mastery, the application station provides independent practice for each lesson. These skill pages allow us to see how students are mastering the skills being taught.
Learning Log
Finally, the fourth workstation, the learning log provides a record of learning throughout the school year. We do this one whole group as we learn how to format, cut, and glue, but eventually, this becomes a math station later in the school year.
Lesson Reflections for Numbers 0-5
At the end of each math lesson, a lesson reflection slide is provided to wrap up the learning of the day. Reflecting on the learning helps students process their thinking and link it to their current understanding and schema. For teachers, reflection can help us identify areas of need to positively impact the effectiveness of our math instruction.
Purchase Orders and Invoices for Total Math Curriculum
We can help your school or district purchase Total Math directly with a purchase order or invoice for payment as a vendor. For help with this, email [email protected]. To check if we are already an approved vendor, search our vendor name, Tunstall’s Teaching Tidbits, LLC. Please note that purchase orders must meet the minimum licensing requirement.
Continuing the learning with Numbers 6-10
Unit 3 Numbers 6-10 is the next unit of study! Click the picture below (coming soon) to read more.
