Big Number Ideas

The development of key ideas in the primary years can lead to greater success with math in the junior years.

Key conceptual understandings within the big ideas of number that are foundational for success in the junior years are:

Number Sense (counting, representing, ordering numbers & place value)

The concept of number can be reinforced though the following counting activities

Count out loud as a class starting at one and building to higher and higher numbers.
Sit with a partner or in a circle and take turns counting by 1’s.
As counting develops, teach number patterns and counting by 2’s, 5’s, and 10’s.
Use a number chart to see what numbers look like visually. Point to each number as it is said.
Encourage kids to practice one-to-one counting with small objects. Have small groups of objects set up in a center for them to count.
Provide number cards (like those seen below) for kids to represent with counting chips.

The concept of number can be reinforced through the following matching numbers to quantities activities:

Match two different types of objects together, such as five counting bears and a domino that shows five dots.
Use links to create a number chain for a number.
Work up to showing quantity with more than two types of objects (as seen in the photo).
Have many different items available for activities, such as dice, dominoes, number magnets, bears, counting chips, cubes, and number cards.
Complete number puzzles that have a different number representation on each piece. They help kids see that numbers can be modeled in many ways.
Encourage one-to-one counting with clip cards. Kids count groups of objects and clip the numeral that matches to the correct quantity.
Ten frames are great for organizing numbers so that they can be easily counted. Matching numeral cards with ten frame representations is simple, yet effective at connecting quantity with numbers.

The concept of number can be reinforced through the following ordering activities:

Provide opportunities with using a number line and number chart that puts numbers in order for us.
Give sets of numbers to order correctly by finding them on the number line.
Cover different numbers on a number chart with sticky notes and ask kids for the missing numbers.
Build Lego stacks by putting the pieces together in an order written on the blocks.
Work together with a partner to order number cards from 0 to 20. Create a number caterpillar..
Number puzzles are a fun way to order numbers. Put the strips in the right order to reveal a picture.
Puzzles are simple and easy to create. Take an old puzzle and write numbers on the back of each piece.
Grab a piece of paper and write numbers in rows. Cut out pieces randomly and trade with a partner. Put the puzzle back together again for practice.
Complete a number order maze starting at 0. This activity can be reused when put into a pocket protector.

The concept of number can be reinforced through the following place value activities:

Practice making groups of ten things. Group straws, beans, counters, or any small objects.
Teach counting by 10’s to count groups. Extend to teaching groups first and then singles.
Make groups of ten to get to the 100th day.
Show and examine a tens block and ones block. Discuss that a tens block has ten ones put together.
Use base ten blocks to represent numbers. Do plenty of examples where kids must use and count blocks. Use a chart to help count the blocks.
Say “Show (or draw) me 14 with place value blocks!”
Represent the number of tens and ones on place value mats (seen below). Ask questions like “How many ones are there?” or “How many groups of ten?”. Make sure they understand what each number within the number stands for (i.e., the 1 in 18 is a ten and not a one).
Represent a number in different ways: expanded form, standard form, word form, numeral, etc. Worksheets like the one below, can help build this connection.

Higgins' Mathematics