Center

Counting Collections (K–1)

Stage 1: Up to 20

Narrative

Students are given a collection of up to 20 objects. They work with a partner to figure out how many objects are in their collection and then each partner shows how many. Students may draw pictures or write numbers to represent their collection. 

 

Variation:

In kindergarten, teachers may not want to provide a recording sheet, so that students can explain their count orally.

Additional Information

Create a collection of up to 20 objects per group of 2 students (buttons, two-color counters, linking cubes, paper clips, pattern blocks, square tiles).

Stage 2: Up to 99

Narrative

Students are given a collection of up to 99 objects. They work with a partner to figure out how many objects are in their collection and then each partner records how many. Students may draw pictures, write numbers or equations, or use base-ten representations to represent their collection.

Additional Information

Create a collection of up to 99 objects per group of 2 students (buttons, two-color counters, linking cubes, paper clips, pattern blocks, square tiles, paper placemats).

Stage 3: Estimate and Count Up to 120

Narrative

Students are given a collection of up to 120 objects. They record an estimate for how many objects they think are in their collection. Then, they work with a partner to figure out how many objects are in their collection and each partner records how many. Students may draw pictures, write numbers or equations, or use base-ten representations to represent their collection.

Additional Information

Create a collection of up to 120 objects per group of 2 students (buttons, two-color counters, linking cubes, paper clips, pattern blocks, square tiles, paper placemats).