During math, we are practicing counting orally to 20 and beyond, but our main focus is recognizing, naming, writing, building, and comparing numbers to 10. This includes counting sets up to ten, as well as recognizing and building numbers on a ten frame and with fingers.  Because our number system is base 10, developing fluency and deep familiarity with numbers to 10 establishes a strong foundation for all future math learning.

When we are counting we have talked about the importance of saying just one number for each object (as one student aptly put it, making sure our mouths don't go faster or slower than our fingers).  With larger sets we have worked on keeping track of what has been counted in some way.  With movable objects it works well to move them as we count.  We have also worked on counting slowly and double checking just to be sure. 

On the ten frame and with our fingers we talk about the composition of numbers and what they look like in relation to 10.  For example 6 on a ten frame might look like 5 on top and 1 on the bottom or 3 on top and 3 on the bottom, but there are always 4 empty spaces.  9 always has one empty space or one finger down, because it is 1 less than 10.  

We have worked on these skills in a variety of ways, which promotes flexibility and also presents good opportunities to develop the muscles that are so critical for a pinch grip (using tweezers or tongs, rolling play dough, playing with legos, and practicing monkey bars are other great ways to strengthen these muscles!)

While we will continue to focus heavily on numbers to 10, in the coming weeks we will begin to explore teen numbers as well.