Skip Counting

Skip Counting:

Skip counting can be defined as the method of counting forward by numbers other than 1. To skip count, we keep adding the same number each time to the previous number.

Videos for Educators

Skip Counting

Important Information:

Skip counting is important in developing fluency in calculation. That means kids who can skip count can calculate more quickly and with more ease. Skip counting is also the basis for multiplication and division.

It is incredibly important that students understand that skip counting does not have to start at 0. Being able to recognize number patterns will help them tremendously with their fluency and flexibility with numbers.

In the early grades there is an emphasis on skip counting by 2's, 5's, or 10's, and later 100's, 50's, then 25's. The focus of skip counting in these early eyars is on helping students see the patterns in our place value system as well as to prepare students to work with money.

Over time, students should have experience skip counting both forward and backward, and not always starting with the obvious start number. (Small, 2013)

Strategies to Support Student Learning:

  • practice skip counting by a variety of different increments.

  • Encourage students to use tally marks to keep track

  • Encourage students to highlight the numbers on a number line as they skip count

  • Practice skip counting forwards and backwards.

  • Use not obvious start numbers

Things You Can Do In The Classroom

Games (Click Links Below)

Jumping in the Gym (Skip Couting)

Use any repetitive activity or exercise that your class is doing in the gym as an opportunity to learn to skip count by tens from any number (Lawson, Pg 196)

Skip Counting Race

Players decide what number they will skip count by before the game starts. Players then take turns rolling the die and moving along to game board. The first player to reach the end of the track wins. Lawson, Pg 187)

All games and activities located above are directly linked. Some can be found in the Alex Lawson What to Look For Resource. Page locations have been included in the description of each activity.