Math in Focus Chapters
The Math in Focus Kindergarten program consists of classroom learning experiences structured around the Investigate–Discover– Explore–Apply format:
• Investigate invites children to sing, clap, rhyme, and discuss colorful, playful scenes presented in the Big Book while the teacher systematically elicits related math talk.
• Discover provides hands-on work in small groups or pairs to allow children to act out or engage actively with the new math idea.
• Explore reinforces and enhances concepts as children go one step further with the concept.
• Apply provides children the opportunity to work independently with paper and pencil to practice the new concept or skill.
You can help your child build mathematical success and confidence, as well as communication skills in mathematics by practicing newly acquired skills at home. Throughout the year, I will be sending home letters that will help you understand what your child has learned in school. These letters contain activities that give your child an opportunity to share their new skills with you. Below are summaries of each chapter that will be covered throughout the school year.
Chapter 1: Numbers to 5
In this chapter, students will study numbers to 5, including handwriting numbers and counting groups of objects. They will learn to tell the similarities and differences between objects. Some of the skills we will practice are:
- Understanding the concept of numbers
- Describing how objects are the same, and how they are different
Chapter 2: Numbers to 10
In this chapter, students will study numbers 0 to 9 and learn to pair up sets of objects. Some of the skills we will practice are:
- Reading and writing numbers
- Pairing sets of objects with numbers
Chapter 3: Order by Size, Length, or Weight
In this chapter, students will learn about sizes, as well as a variety of vocabulary words to describe the size of an object. One skill we will focus on is:
- Ordering objects by size
Chapter 4: Counting and Numbers 0 to 10
In this chapter, students will learn how to use their fingers to count, as well as the concept of how many more. Some of the skills we will cover are:
- Using fingers to add
- Comparing sets to find how many more
Chapter 5: Size and Position
In this chapter, students will learn about relative sizes and positional words (i.e., beneath, above, beside, etc.). Some of the skills we will cover are:
- Comparing sizes of objects
- Describing the spatial position of an object in relation to other objects
Chapter 6: Numbers 0 to 20
In this chapter, students will study numbers to 20, and understand the terms more and fewer. Some of the skills we will cover are:
- Understanding the concept of numbers
- Comparing sets
Chapter 7: Solid and Flat Shapes
In this chapter, students will learn the five basic shapes - circle, square, triangle, rectangle and hexagon. One skill we will cover is:
- Recognizing and describing solid and flat shapes
Chapter 8: Numbers to 100
In this chapter, students will learn that counting by 2’s or 5’s is a faster way of counting a big number of objects. Some skills we will cover are:
- Using paris for counting
- Counting by 5’s up to 20 objects
- Discovering place value
Chapter 9: Comparing Sets
In this chapter, students will learn how to compare sets and do simple addition. Some of the skills we will cover are:
- Understanding how to use the terms most and fewest
- Understanding how to use a number train to add
*We will skip Chapters 10 and 11
Chapter 12: Counting on and Counting Back
In this chapter, students will review associating fingers with numbers. Some of the skills we will cover are:
- Counting on by using fingers
- Counting back to find the difference
*We will skip Chapter 13
Chapter 14: Number Facts
In this chapter students will learn how to combine sets, and review the use of a number line. Some of the skills we will cover are:
- Adding by combining sets
- Using a ten frame to count to 20
Chapter 15: Length and Height
In this chapter, students will learn how to compare and measure lengths. Some of the skills we will cover are:
- Using terms such as longer, longest, short, shorter and shortest to compare lengths
- Using objects such as paper clips to measure length
*We will skip Chapter 16
Chapter 17: Addition Stories
In this chapter, students will learn how to add using small numbers. Some of the skills we will cover are:
- Forming addition sentences from addition stories
- Writing addition sentences using the symbols + and =
Chapter 18: Subtraction Stories
In this chapter, students will learn how to subtract using small numbers. Some of the skills we will cover are:
- Forming subtraction sentences from subtraction stories
- Writing subtraction sentences using the symbols - and =