Are you looking for alternatives to using a counting worksheet to help students build their number sense? Children start counting and learning about numbers early on. Numbers are part of our everyday lives, and we need to use these daily opportunities to build kids’ number sense. Having children count aloud to 5 or count cereal on their plate are the beginning stages. Talking, playing, and solving math throughout the day builds number sense and the love of mathematics.
Get this Freebie of 71 Math Number Puzzles delivered to your inbox to use with your students. Providing opportunities to do math puzzles daily is one way to help students develop their number sense.
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As a parent and teacher, I have always tried to incorporate number sense activities throughout the day that don’t require a lot of planning. I’m always looking for simple materials to use for counting resources. Sometimes it is hard to know what is expected at each grade level and all the components of counting and cardinality. Here is a breakdown of the preschool and kindergarten counting and cardinality standards, along with activities to help develop those skills. Let’s make math fun and actively engage kids with a variety of different activities.
What is Number Sense in Mathematics?
Number sense refers to understanding number concepts, operations, and applications of numbers and operations.
Children with good number sense enjoy playing with and exploring numbers. Counting, putting numbers together, and taking them apart (composing and decomposing numbers) are ways to help students become flexible in their thinking.
Who’s Counting to 100?
Preschool Counting Standards:
What number should a Preschooler be able to count to? They need to be able to count to 20.
- Know number names and the count sequence
- Count to 20. (Oral Counting)
- Represent a number of objects with a written numeral 0 – 5 (with 0 representing no objects).
- Count to Tell the Number of Objects
- Understand the relationship between numbers and quantities to 10
- When counting objects, say the number names in the standard order, pairing each object with only one number name and each number name with only one object. (One- to -One Correspondence)
- Understand that the last number name said tells the number of objects counted.
- The number of objects is the same regardless of their arrangement or the order they were counted.
- Understand that each successive number name refers to a quantity that is one larger.
- Understand the relationship between numbers and quantities to 10
- Count to answer “how many?” questions about as many as 10 things arranged in a line, a rectangular array, or a circle, or as many as 5 items in a scattered configuration; given a number from 1 – 10, count out that many objects.
Kindergarten Counting Standards:
What number should a kindergarten be able to count to? They should be able to count to 100.
- Know number names and the count sequence.
- Count to 100 (Oral Counting)
- Write numbers from 0 to 20. Represent a number of objects with a written numeral 0-20 (with 0 representing no objects).
- Count to tell the number of objects.
- When counting objects, say the number names in the standard order, pairing each object with one number name and each number name with only one object. (One- to -One Correspondence)
- Understand that the last number name said tells the number of objects counted. The number of things is the same regardless of their arrangement or the order in which they were counted.
- Understand that each successive number name refers to a quantity that is one larger.
- Count to answer “how many?” questions about as many as 20 things arranged in a line, a rectangular array, or a circle, or as many as 10 things in a scattered configuration; given a number from 1-20, count out that many objects.
Counting Activities Preschool
Counting 20 (oral)
Students begin by counting by ones. They start with a limited range of numbers and increase until they can count to 20. As students begin to count fluently, introduce the numeral representations for each number name. Give students opportunities to match the numeral with the number name. (5= “five”)
Use a variety of nursery rhymes, books, and songs to help students associate number sequences with situations that are already familiar to them.
Taking opportunities to count throughout the day- sitting in the car, walking somewhere, or as a movement break with songs helps develop this skill. They are eventually showing the numbers as they count. These are all easy to incorporate and more engaging than a counting worksheet.
Counting Objects to 10
Say the number name in order as they point to each object. Some students may find it helpful to move the objects as they count. Start by counting objects in a straight line, then proceed to organized representations (arrays, circles) and randomly arranged objects.
Provide opportunities for students to count various objects such as buttons, counters, shells, and dot cards. Ask students to count objects, beginning with a smaller number of items and increasing as students count accurately.
Use five frames to model lining up objects and help students begin to see patterns that make 5. Then, as students are ready, represent numbers on a ten frame. Grab a free copy of these digital frames, five frames printables, ten frames printables, and double ten frames printable to use with students.
Ask.” How many are there?” to reinforce that the last number tells the number of objects. Finally, count on to the original number of items by adding one item.
Try these How Many Counting Worksheets and Slides: There are 30 Counting 20 Slides that have students count the objects in the picture and 18 counting to 20 worksheets. Students count and represent the amount up to 10, then up to 20. 8 slides use numbers 1-5, 16 slides use numbers 6-10, and there are 5 slides for teen numbers in ten frames. 18 Slides students type into the text box, 12 Slides students drag and drop the number.
The Counting 20 bundle contains Slides to use as a warm-up to practice counting. All 4 seasons are available. Check out these free versions of the product here:
Represent the Number
Given a number 1-10, count out that many objects to represent the number. They should match a numeral card with the number of items and count out that many objects given the written numeral.
Given a drawing of items, they should circle a number of items and write the numeral. In addition, they should be able to draw a given number of items.
Try this Bundle of Represent a Number activities. These Numbers to 20 activities have ten frames, matching cards, worksheets, and games for all the seasons. Are you looking for teen number worksheets to practice counting, representing numbers on a ten frame, and identifying numbers?
Counting Activities Kindergarten
Counting to 100 (Oral)
Students begin by counting by ones. They start with a limited range of numbers and increase until they can count to 100. Then, they begin to match the number name with the numeral.
They play games and complete activities using numeral cards and parts of the hundreds chart to connect numerals with number names.
Once students can count to a given number, use a section of the hundreds chart to help them recognize the numerals that represent these numbers. Use matching games and activities to help students connect the number name with the numeral.
Counting Objects to 20
Continue to provide opportunities for students to count objects in organized and then randomly arranged objects. Students should be able to count up to 20 objects in Kindergarten.
Show the Number
Provide opportunities for students to count out a certain number of objects up to 20. Then, ask students to match numerals with the number of items in the set they have counted. In addition, give students a numeral card and ask them to read the number, then count out that many items to represent the number.
3 Alternatives to a Counting Worksheet
Songs for Counting to 20
Having students move and count is a great way to incorporate movement and counting. You can have students make up their own movements or use these counting to 10, counting to 20, and counting to 100 songs below:
- Jack Hartmann Count to 20
- The Counting Song
- Let’s Get Fit- Counting to 100
- Sesame Street Counting to 20
Digital Counting Activities
Students love to use technology to learn; it is more engaging with colorful pictures and movable pieces. It is also easier for teachers to incorporate as a warm-up, small group, whole group, or independent practice. Then, just download the files, and students are ready to start counting.
Here are some great resources:
- Count Objects in a Picture to 20- Spring Freebie
- Count Objects in a Picture to 20- Winter Freebie
- Counting Teen Numbers- Freebie
- Represent Numbers on a Ten Frame
- Count & Compare
Counting Everyday Objects
We don’t need to spend hours coming up with different activities for students to do to practice counting. Instead, find objects around your house or at the dollar store to count. I love to use small erasers, toys, and craft materials to count.
Give students a number and asked them to count out that many erasers or give them some pom-poms and have them count how many they have. These counting activities can easily be differentiated depending on the learner which is more difficult to do with a counting worksheet.
Related Articles and Blog Posts
What Children Know and Need to Learn About Counting
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What are Number Talks and Why are they Useful in the Primary Classroom?
5 Nifty Math Activities for a Terrific First Day of Kindergarten
3 Easy Tips for Awesome Math Talks in the Primary Classroom
Why use Alternative to a Counting Worksheet?
Strong number sense helps build a foundation for mathematical understanding. Focusing on number sense in the younger grades helps build the foundation necessary to compute and solve more complex problems in older grades. Creating a love for math in your children begins with building an understanding of numbers.
Making learning fun and engaging with these alternatives to a counting worksheet keeps students motivated to learn. In addition, it saves paper and time because you don’t need to make copies of the worksheet!
Sign up on my webpage to get this Freebie of 71 Math Number Puzzles delivered to your inbox to use with your students. CLICK Here to sign up for 71 Math Number Puzzles and check out my website at Easternshoremathteacher.com
What are some easy and fun materials you have used to practice counting? I would love to hear how you are incorporating everyday objects into your teaching.
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