Choral Counting II

Task

Materials

• 100 chart or large number line, preferably one that extends beyond 100.
• A pointer

Setup

Have students sit in the whole group meeting area.

Actions

Lead the students in chanting the counting sequence starting with one to one hundred; use the pointer to follow the number sequence. Then start counting at various numbers other than one that are randomly selected from 1-120. Have a student take over the job of pointing out the number sequence. Highlight the multiples of ten using a marker or a colored screen and have students chant the counting sequence by 10s, by 5s and by 2s. This should be done daily.

IM Commentary

• Counting the days in the month on the classroom calendar is another great place to practice the counting sequence; first count the number of days total and then count from the current date to the end of the month to get practice starting at numbers other than one.
• Students should practice backward counting on a regular basis; it supports students in learning subtraction. Students should have some facility with forward counting before practicing backward counting.
• It is important start from different numbers each day when counting by ones to increase student flexibility with the number sequence.

Solution

Start the counting sequence with one to one hundred, then begin picking starting numbers other than one.This will help students build the flexibility to start a count from a number other than one.

Select a number from 1-50 and count backward by ones; once students are fluent, move to numbers from 50-100 as starting points.

Count by decuple numbers — 10,20,30,40,50,60,70,80,90,100, by 5s to 50 and by 2s to 20.