A Day in the Life of a Kindergarten Mathematician

Understanding how numbers work, number sense, is the basis for mathematical work in the Lower School. Number sense skills develop gradually over time as the students explore numbers, visualizing them in multiple contexts and relating to them through manipulatives and opportunities for problem solving. To "know" a number, a student has to learn to write and represent that number in a variety of ways, recognize the quantity represented by numerals and understand how a number relates and connects to other numbers.

Our kindergarten Math In Focus curriculum uses a concrete-pictorial-abstract model to teach these math skills with an emphasis on problem solving. The children are listening to math stories, acting out concepts, and using workbooks to demonstrate their understanding.

Counting and one to one correspondence

Practicing number formation

Math is everywhere in kindergarten! Math activities and games are used to support the Math In Focus lessons by stretching and enriching kindergarten minds. Our beginning of the year focus has been on the numerals 0-12 and the students have been practicing writing the numbers as well as counting, comparing, and adding as they strengthen their understanding of number sense. 

 Hands on math activities and manipulatives help kindergarten students to understand what numbers    represent, offer different ways to express numbers, and provide them with opportunities to explore    how numbers relate to one another. And they are fun! The students especially enjoy using new  kindergarten math manipulatives including dice, uni-fix cubes and dominoes to support and  strengthen the concepts presented in their kindergarten math lessons. Below are just a few of the  hands on activities that supported our budding kindergarten mathematicians during one recent school  day:

Using dice, uni-fix cubes and crayons
 to "fill the pumpkin patch" 
and practice number recognition

Comparing uni-fix towers

Creating an impromptu pattern border

A Domino Parking Lot game aids 
in addition practice and number recognition

 Math puzzles help students to reinforce 
number identification and to think and 
develop strategies for problem solving