Counting
Counting is one of the first steps to learning mathematics.
1) Verbal Counting is done to keep track of the progress made in counting.
2) Tally Marks are used to count numbers over time and is written in visual increments of five, which allows one to subitize more easily.
3) Finger Counting is used as a tool using unary notation, where each finger is equal to one unit. However, this form of counting is not always efficient due to the limitations of the number of digits on a body.
4) Skip Counting is the procedure of counting by a set of numbers.
- Counting by 2's - 2,4,6,8,10
- Counting by 5's - 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30
5) Inclusive Counting is when the start time (day, month, year) is included in the count. Example: Sharon will start her diet on the 15th and end it on the 30th of the month. How many days will she diet? (30-15 = 15 seems easy, but is it right? It would take you to then end of the month, but would not include the 15th itself. Therefore you will have to add a day to include the 15th. 30-15 = 15 days + 1 day = 16 days on the diet.
Subitizing
Subitizing is the ability to immediately recognize a small number of objects with accuracy. The visual perception and response speed related to subitizing can help with more difficult mental operations over time. Some teaching tools that one might use to strengthen this number sense are
- dice
- cards
- abacus
- Cuisenaire
- color tiles
