"Counting Counters (beyond 20)"
KNPIG ID #A 3301.3
What's this activity about?
Using anything from around the house, your child will work to tell the total of two groups of items, beyond 20, when one group of items is covered. This activity helps build familiarity and efficiency with addition fluency within 20.
What materials do we need?
20 of any type of counter: pennies, bingo markers, oyster crackers, dry beans, etc.
How do we play?
Randomly arrange up to 20 of one type of counter for your child to see and then screen them. Next, arrange between two and six of the other type of counter for your child to see, and then screen them. Ask your child how many counters there are altogether. Then have your child write the addition sentence (ex. 15+4=19), on the piece of paper. Then do it again.
Where’s the Math?
There is a lot of math in this game that goes along with what your child is learning in school. Your child is learning how to combine groups of items to come up with a total. He/she is also learning how to remember and use different methods when those items are shown, and then covered. This encourages him/her to begin to use mental strategies to fluently add and subtract and move from counting from one, to working with totals to make new totals. You child is also learning how to write number sentences. These will be the written evidence of learning for your child in school. Learning how to arrange addends and the sum is important when moving forward in single and multi-digit addition and subtraction.
Things to Think About:
As always when working with children, be patient. Your child will typically count-on at this stage rather than counting from one. Try to notice how he/she is counting: using his/her fingers, head nodding or tapping. Ask your child how he/she is coming up with answers. Having him/her discuss and think about how he/she work through problems will help them find his/her mistakes and build on his/her strengths. If he/she understands what method works for him/her, it will help him/her also become faster and more confident in his/her answers. Your child is learning now how math will show up in his/her everyday life. Make connections while he/she is young so later it will be easier for him/her to see the connection when working with more difficult math concepts. Ask your child about combining different objects into groups. Count two types of fruit separately and then together, or count the number of cars and trucks separately and all together at a stop light. Then ask what the addition sentence might look like, or practice writing it on scratch paper or a white board. Making math relatable makes it more interesting and fun for kids.
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