Skip Counting is one of the main skills students learn in kindergarten and first grade. We are proud of them when they can count by 2's, 5's, and 10's up to 100. These skills seem like something we just need to check off a list, but counting by fives is one of the most important skills you can be strong in for second grade math. We use counting by fives in money, telling time, and multiplication. This simple skill is a bedrock for more advanced skills.
I realized today as we were practicing number lines that although we make sure every kid can count to 100, we miss an important skill along the way. Students need to skip count by these number starting at numbers other than zero. I am going to be practicing these skills in the classroom and would appreciate some practice at home or in the car to help reinforce these skills. Here are the kinds of counting you can practice.
- Counting by 2's up to 50 starting at an even number (i.e. 24)
- Counting by 2's starting with an odd number (i.e. 35)
- Counting by 5's starting with any number
- This is easier if you start on numbers that end in zero or five, but eventually practicing other numbers so that they can develop the patterns that go with it (i.e. 17, 22, 27, 32, 37...)
- Counting by 10's starting with any number (i.e. 28, 38, 48...)
- Counting by 25's (helps with quarters)
- Counting by 3's starting at zero (helps with multiplication)
- Counting backwards by any of these numbers (helps with subtraction)
These are basic skills, but taking it to a deeper level helps reinforce key mathematical patterns. This work will really pay off when it comes to counting money and multiplication that we will hit later in the year. Also when your mind is doing this mental math it will create good neural pathways that will help students memorize addition math facts. Thanks for the support on this!
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