Prep Bulletin
A Snapshot into Maths
Learning Intention: To use a strategy to help me count.
Learning Experience Overview:
In this learning experience, students used a number line to develop their counting strategies and connect numbers to their corresponding quantities.
Whole:
The teacher introduced the concept of a number line. Students sat in a circle and as a class we collected unifix blocks to the value of each number from zero to ten. Each student was required to verbalise the strategy they used to count accurately.
Students used the ‘Counting Strategies’ anchor chart to support them in using effective strategies for counting. For example, students in the pictures below are using the strategy ‘line up and count’. This also helped us to visualise which number was the biggest and the smallest.
Small:
Explore: Each student received their own number line and used strips of paper to create chains that represented each number. For example, for the number 2, students linked 2 strips of paper together, and for 5, they used 5 strips.
Throughout the activity, students practiced using different counting strategies to ensure accuracy. This hands-on task supported students to visualise number values and their position on a number line.
Extending: Students continued their number lines up to 10.
Whole:
Throughout the lesson, we discussed what students noticed about their number lines.
- Which strategy did you use to count your chains?
- Was this effective? Why/Why not?
- How do you know which chain is the longest?
- What number has the highest value?
In this learning experience, students are working towards:
- Using different counting strategies
- Evaluating the effectiveness of chosen strategies
- Understanding the relationship between numbers
- Developing one-to-one correspondence
- Practicing number sense and sequencing
What you can do now to continue the learning at home from this experience:
- Practice counting with everyday objects (E.g. buttons, toys, coins) and discuss different strategies
- Create your own number line and use small items to represent numbers on the line
- Compare numbers by discussing which numbers are bigger or smaller
- Play number games such as counting steps as you walk or counting items in a grocery store
Warm Regards,
Alyssa, Ruby and Julian
Prep Team
Alyssa.Thermos@education.vic.gov.au