21 Skip-Counting Actions for Elementary Math College students
The primary math most children are conscious of doing is counting. At first, it’s only a rote calling out of numbers in sequence. Then it’s virtually at all times by ones as they depend objects and study one-to-one correspondence. That’s foundational. Nonetheless, when you begin to depend a whole lot of objects by ones, issues get fairly sluggish, and the probabilities of making an error improve. What are you able to do? Attempt skip counting!
Skip counts contain grouping and patterns, two different huge concepts in elementary math. A pile of 100 peanuts is counted much more shortly by 2’s, much more so by 5’s, and with 10’s, overlook about it. Over and achieved in seconds. Skip counts are enjoyable and helpful for youths, they usually often have a little bit of a rhythm to them, so that they’re simple to study. Attempt a few of these actions along with your class and also you’ll see it’s true.
1. Skip-Counting Learn-Alouds
Use read-alouds as a springboard to some skip counting collectively. You might need to begin with Two Methods To Rely to Ten by Ruby Dee (Sq. Fish, 1990). Skip counting solves a giant drawback on this story. It’s a Liberian folktale a couple of king who organizes a contest to hunt his successor. The problem appears unimaginable at first: Contestants should throw King Leopard’s spear up within the air and depend to 10 earlier than it comes again to earth once more. But when you understand how to skip-count …
Different skip-count read-alouds to present a strive embody:
2. Skip-Counting Quantity Strains
Put together different-colored sentence strips displaying totally different skip counts, virtually like quick quantity traces. These are a very good visible reference. Every ought to have a quantity and 9 multiples of that quantity. For instance, the primary strip may very well be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, the second strip 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, the third 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, and so on.
Apply studying the strips in varied methods:
- Orally whereas wanting on the wall strips and taking turns; particular person college students, pairs, desk teams, row teams, bus riders, walkers, after which orally with eyes closed in those self same groupings.
- You or a scholar reads a few of the numbers from a strip after which stops. The category says the following quantity aloud.
- The trainer and college students alternate saying the numbers. For instance, you say “3,” the category says “6.” You say, “9,” the category says “12,” and so on.
3. My 100 Fingers
That is some tremendous enjoyable skip-counting artwork! Have every scholar dip one hand into paint after which press it onto a big sheet of paper (simply bigger than the scholars’ palms). Every scholar does this 20 instances.
After the handprints dry, every scholar ought to write 5 in a single shade on every handprint. That is for the 5 fingers on the hand. Underneath every hand, write the numbers reflecting a skip depend.
For instance, on the primary handprint, write 5 in blue, and beneath it write 5 in pink. On the second handprint, write 5 in blue and 10 in pink beneath it. On the third handprint, write 5 in blue and 15 in pink beneath it, and so forth.
4. Hopscotch Skip Counting
Outdoors on the playground, use chalk to create the goal skip counting in a hopscotch “board.” College students name out the skip depend numbers as they hop on each.
- You possibly can draw two or three totally different hopscotch boards, every with its personal skip-count numbers. Even higher, have youngsters create their very own.
- You possibly can throw in some “clunkers”—numbers that DO NOT match that skip-count sample, to maintain college students pondering and staying on the appropriate sample!
5. Skip-Counting Sticks
Make a set of 10 Popsicle sticks for every skip-count sample by writing every quantity for the sample on the stick. Colourful sticks make it much more partaking. Hold the units of sticks along with a rubber band or in a ziplock bag.
College students choose a bag, empty it, and lay out the sticks to seek out the bottom quantity, then prepare the remainder of the sticks within the skip-count sample. When the bag is full, they put the sticks again in and commerce baggage. These are nice for youths to make on their very own too.
6. Dot-to-Dot Skip-Counting Sheets
Dot-to-Dot Skip Counts present enjoyable observe with some artwork thrown in. These are simple to seek out without cost on-line for academics or you might create your individual. College students draw the dot-to-dot traces, the image is revealed, after which they’ve an opportunity to paint it in. If you wish to adapt them to sure particular skip counts, you may at all times white-out the numbers on there and write within the ones you need youngsters to work on. You can too invite youngsters to attempt to create their very own.
7. Skip-Rely With Paper Clips
It is a easy hands-on mannequin for skip counts youngsters will take pleasure in making. On the sting of paper plates, write the goal skip-count sample, leaving house between the numbers. The coed will slide the variety of paper clips for that sample within the house between the numbers. For instance, if the skip-count sample is 4’s, on the sting of the paper plate, there might be 0 then an area, 4 then an area, 8 then an area, 12 then an area, and so forth. In these areas, the scholars will put 4 paper clips. This turns into a counting manipulative and mannequin.
8. Motion Skip Counting
Early learners love to maneuver whereas they study. As college students recite or name out skip counts, have them do an motion as nicely: clapping, nodding, stomping, leaping jacks, hopping, and so on. If you’re doing leaping jacks, you’ll depend, “2!” and do two, then do two extra and depend out, “4!” Do two extra and depend out, “6!” It’s a very good psychological and bodily exercise!
9. Skip Counting With Cube
This exercise can get youngsters into a whole lot of totally different sorts of skip counts. It additionally lays a basis for multiplication and serious about multiples. Based mostly on the extent of skip counting focused, give every scholar one or each cube, a sheet of paper, and a pencil.
College students roll a die (or cube). The quantity rolled is the primary variety of the skip-counting sample. On the sheet of paper, college students write 10 numbers in that skip-count sample. So, if I roll a 3, I might write 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30.
With two cube I would roll a 7. It is a more difficult sample, however it might start with 7 and go 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, 63, 70.
10. Skip-Counting Dot Chart Artwork
Give college students a sheet of paper for every skip depend you’re engaged on. Have college students draw 10 circle or sq. outlines, or the sheet could be premade with these. Present markers, crayons, or coloured pencils. Direct college students to attract the variety of dots within the circle or sq. outlines for that skip-counting chart. For much more creative enjoyable, present paint and cotton swabs for the coed to create their dots with.
11. LEGO Skip-Counting Fashions
Quite a lot of totally different hands-on fashions assist college students study math concepts. LEGO bricks can function one mannequin for numbers wanted for the skip-counting sample you need to work on. The variety of raised dots on the LEGO bricks would be the skip-count quantity. College students can put the LEGO bricks on a LEGO grid, on a sheet of paper, or just on their desk. Rely collectively as college students contact every bit together with the depend.
12. Skip-Counting Cups
It is a good associate exercise as college students can cut up the work and assist test one another’s counts. Make a set of 10 cups for every skip-count sample by writing every quantity for the sample on the aspect of the cup.
Give particular person college students or pairs of scholars a set of those cups. College students depend and place small objects akin to LEGO bricks, connecting blocks, counting bears, or Popsicle sticks into the cups in accordance with the quantity on the aspect.
When completed, every cup should be full of the proper variety of objects and the cups should be within the right sequence. College students will “learn’ their cups to one another or the trainer.
13. Nickel or Dime Skip Counting
We use skip counts so much in actual life after we are counting cash. To present college students some observe, put together a paper or laminated card with cent quantities ending in zero or 5. Present units of nickels and dimes (actual or play cash).
Direct college students to learn the quantity and line up the nickels or dimes to make that quantity. Quantities ending in zero could be proven with nickels or dimes, not combos. Quantities ending in a 5 should be proven with nickels solely, not combos.
For instance, if the quantity is 30 cents, present: nickel, nickel, nickel, nickel, nickel, nickel OR dime, dime, dime.
If the quantity is 45 cents, present: nickel, nickel, nickel, nickel, nickel, nickel, nickel, nickel, nickel.
14. Skip Relying on a Measuring Tape
Combining skip counting and the concept of a measurement tape as a quantity line is an effective affiliation for youths to make. It’s greatest achieved individually. Every scholar is given 10 clothespins and a measuring tape. Assign every scholar a beginning quantity, or you may have them randomly decide a quantity from a ready stack of quantity playing cards.
College students put a clothespin on the beginning quantity on the measuring tape and proceed to skip-count, placing clothespins on the following 9 numbers within the sample. It’s enjoyable to droop these like a clothesline when you have room.
15. Make a Skip-Rely Puzzle
Youngsters love puzzles. These are easy ones, however it’s important to know your skip counts. Give every scholar a chunk of drawing paper and have them draw photos from their favourite read-alouds, illustrations from science or social research matters, or a design. Instruct them to depart a margin of about an inch on the backside.
Then utilizing a ruler, you or the coed can evenly divide and mark the underside margin of the image into 10 sections. In every part, write the numbers of a skip-count sample in sequence. Laminate the image, then use a paper cutter to chop it into 10 strips alongside the marks on the backside. Hold every puzzle along with a clip or in a ziplock bag. College students can share and commerce puzzles, attempting to place them collectively utilizing the skip-count numbers on the backside and self-checking by wanting on the puzzle image.
16. Skip-Rely Sample Posters
Draw large-size outlines of numbers 1 by way of 10 on poster paper. These are the “quantity posters.” Then use pads of sticky notes or different small-sized papers, 10 of which is able to match inside the massive quantity define.
Assign a quantity poster to a scholar or pair of scholars, who will write the skip-count sample numbers on the ten small items of paper. College students test with a associate or different supply to make sure their numbers are right, then connect them (with tape or glue) to the poster in sequence. Placing these all collectively could make a pleasant show.
17. Something Lacking?
Give every scholar a set of 10 clean index playing cards. College students decide a skip-count sample to make on the playing cards. They will begin with any quantity they need. For instance, if they will do 5’s, they don’t must make the primary card a 5. They will begin with 15 or 20 or any a number of of 5 they need. After college students have made their units, have them pair up and commerce units, however earlier than they do, clarify to college students that they need to every take away one card from their set earlier than they offer it to the associate.
When companions get the set, they need to put them so as and attempt to decide the lacking card. The one different rule is that you would be able to’t make the lacking card the primary or final card of the sequence.
18. Puddle-Stomping Skip Counting
Right here’s a very good exercise to get youngsters shifting. You are able to do this inside or outdoors relying on the house you could have. Minimize out 10 puddle-shaped ovals from blue paper for every set of skip-count patterns you need to observe. Write the skip-count numbers on the ten puddles. Lay out the puddles within the right sequence, then begin the stomping and “splashing.”
To make this more difficult, contemplate arranging the puddles in a random sequence and/or embody numbers which might be NOT a part of that skip-count sample. Youngsters could make these units as nicely. Typically they need to make one to make use of at dwelling.
19. Counting Stations
Arrange 10 counting stations across the room. Every station ought to have a set of small manipulatives like counting bears, chips, buttons, or related in a container. Every station also needs to be marked with a letter and a quantity, which would be the skip-count quantity.
Companion college students up and provides them a clipboard, pencil, and lined paper. When college students get to the station, they empty the container and start to skip-count by the station quantity. The primary time, they depend aloud. The second time, college students write the letter of the station after which write the skip depend they did there with all 10 numbers.
When achieved, rotate to a different station and proceed till all are full.
20. Cowl Up
Present college students with a clean sentence strip sheet, a pencil, and a few sticky notes. Inform them their quantity or allow them to select from a stack of quantity playing cards or roll cube. That’s the first variety of their skip-count sample. They write the sample out on the quantity strip after which use the sticky notes to cowl up three numbers. At that time, they’re able to commerce with a associate and see if they’ll work out which numbers are coated up.
21. Skip-Rely Rhymes
Brainstorm along with youngsters on creating some enjoyable rhymes based mostly on skip counts. Share the traditional “2, 4, 6, 8, who will we recognize?!” as a mannequin. Clarify to youngsters, “We’re going to make some extra skip-count rhymes like this one. We’ll name out 4 skip-count numbers in a row, after which consider a rhyming sentence to placed on the top. For instance, how about 5, 10, 15, 20 … now I believe I’ve eaten a lot!”
Ask if anybody else has any rhyming endings for two’s or 5’s. Attempt them out. Then start to strive others like 3’s, 4’s, 10’s, and so forth.
