Numbers and Operations

Subitizing—the ability to instantly recognize the number of objects in a set without counting—is a crucial early math skill.  You can keep this skill sharp over the summer with free, screen-free, and low-prep activities that turn everyday household items and outdoor play into engaging, conceptual math practice. Subitizing can be connected to number value, number relationships,  ten frames, adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, and fractions.  If you are still not sure what subitizing is think about a domino that has dots on two sides. Children begin to recognize patterns like 5 has 4 dots and 1 dot or 3 dots and 2 dots. The beginning of addition.

Subitizing Activities:

• Dominoes

  • https://foreverlearningandgrowing.com/free-subitizing-dominoes/?utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=organic 

  • https://littlemindsatwork.org/freebies/math-numbers-free-download-dominoes 

  • Have your child sort and subitize toys

  • Play card games like Go Fish, they have to use the suit shapes and identify the number. Older students can play Uno, Crazy Eight, or Solitaire.

  • Children can subitize anything from toys, food, petals, animals, cars, or colors.

Adding and Subtracting

• • Beginning addition starts with adding two single digit numbers like 5 and 3 is 8. Then it moves to 2 digit to 1 digit like 10 and 5 is 15 and then more complex like 12 and 3. The numbers get more complex has they move towards third grade.  Subtracting seems harder for some children, which is why subitizing is so important. For example, going back to the domino with 3 dots on one side and 2 dots on the other. Students can begin to understand that 3 and 2 are 5, so they can also connect that 5 take away 3 is 2 and vice versa with these visuals. The most important concept though is that the children understand the relation between numbers. For example 10 can be made from 1 and 9, 7 and 3, and 6 and 4. 

  • Use cards that are 1 through 9 and play make ten.

  • Create ten frames using egg cartons, popcycle sticks, card stock, sticks from outside,  or cardboard boxes. Ten frames are two groups of five. They can use them for adding and subtracting.