Grades K to 1 - Number (Number Concepts)

The sub-organizer contains the following sections:
Prescribed Learning Outcomes
Suggested Instructional Strategies
Suggested Assessment Strategies
Recommended Learning Resources

PRESCRIBED LEARNING OUTCOMES

It is expected that students will recognize, describe, and use numbers from 0 to 100 in a variety of familiar settings.

It is expected that students will:

count orally by 1s, 2s, 5s, and 10s to 100
estimate and count objects in a set (0 to 50) and compare estimates to the actual number
recognize, build, compare, and order sets of objects (0 to 50) using both comparative and numerical terms
read number words up to 10
explore, represent, and describe numbers up to 50 in a variety of ways
use a calculator or computer to explore and represent numbers up to 100
demonstrate and explain orally an understanding of "half" as part of a whole

To view the prescribed learning outcomes for Number (Number Concepts) in other grades click on an icon below.

SUGGESTED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES

Children are surrounded by numbers in their daily lives. They see them in print, hear them, and use them daily. Most children come to school able to count by rote to a certain number. Yet their understanding of those numbers and number sequences varies and needs to be developed. They need focused experiences to be able to explore numbers and their corresponding quantities in real and practical ways. They also need to communicate their understanding through the use of materials and in conversations as they use numbers in context.

Using classroom experiences, have students count objects or people in a room, at work stations, and so on.
Have students act out counting rhymes and finger plays.
Have children use counters and mats to show different sets of objects; to compare sets with a partner, discussing who has more and who has less; and to demonstrate their ability to order mats from the fewest number to the greatest number.
Conduct simple cooking activities such as making cookies or trail mix in which children do such things as determine the amount of each ingredient to include and halve the ingredients.
Provide opportunities for students to guess/estimate:
- Fill a small jar with cubes or other objects and have students guess how many cubes are in the jar. Then count the cubes to see which students' guesses were close. Use a number line to show students the "closeness" of one number to another. Refill the jar with different objects and have students estimate how many of each are in the jar.
- Make a hidden-search picture with various objects in it and have children determine how many of each object are in the picture.

SUGGESTED ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES

There are many opportunities for children to organize and count objects in the classroom. Sometimes these opportunities are created by the teacher; other times the children discover ways to use their growing skills and knowledge on their own. In assessing children's abilities to use numbers appropriately, engage them in dialogue and observe them as they share their knowledge with others.

Observe

As children are engaged in oral counting activities, observe which children are participating, how they are participating, and what they are saying.
Observe children as they match counters to numerals on their mats.
Observe children as they order a deck of cards in increasing order.
Observe children's ability to assign a numeral to a set of objects (e.g., "9 buttons").

Question

Have children count out the appropriate number of children needed to act out a rhyme.
Have children explain their estimates. Ask: Why did you pick that number? How do you know it will be more or less than the last one?

Collect