After our morning recess each day we move into math.  We typically begin our math time by working in stations.  Each day students rotate through two stations in small groups.  During this time we have mostly focused on working with numbers to 10:  counting, ordering, and comparing numbers and matching numerals to quantities.  As we count we have worked on one-to-one correspondence, the idea that each object must be counted once and only once.  We have practiced moving objects as we count them or lining them up and touching each one as we count to make sure they are all counted, but only counted once.

 Children have also been introduced to  five- and ten-frames, which are models we will use throughout the year for composing numbers.   Both of these models appear in many of our stations and we also use them for whole class work, using cubes to build numbers and talk about what we notice.  For example, when we make 5 on a ten-frame, there are 5 empty spaces, or if we make 9, there is just 1 empty space.  As students gain familiarity with these structures they will begin to recognize quantities without counting, an important process referred to as subitizing.

Many of our stations involve partner games, which provide a fun way for children to develop and practice math skills.  Perhaps more importantly these give us practice being good sports:  playing the games the way they are meant to be played, not gloating if we win, going with the flow when we lose, and always shaking hands and saying good game when we are done.