According to Raishay Lin (2011) in “Math Research Reveals Early-Learning Needs” there are three basic competencies that are essential to a student's math success: numbers, counting and low-level arithmetic. In the article Lin reviews the findings of a study conducted by psychologists at the University of Missouri with 177 elementary students from 12 different elementary schools spanning kindergarten through fifth grade. The study’s findings suggest that not only are these three skills essential but they should be mastered by first grade. Students that mastered numbers, counting and low-level arithmetic in first grade were more likely to be successful in math in fifth grade. Lin (2011) advises parents and teachers to incorporate these three skills in to their math instruction to prepare for long-term success in math. Having taught third and fourth grade I know that foundational gaps are difficult to overcome. Students that are missing early math skills often think they are "no good" at math or become easily frustrated when the work becomes a challenge. Here is a list of web-based activities that address these three competencies in the lower elementary grades. They can be used by students independently at the computer during center time or during flexible grouping. Click the title to preview the activity.
Number Sense:
- Give the Dog a Bone- Find 10 hidden numbers in a hundreds chart.
- Counting Caterpillar- Select a minimum and maximum and put the numbers in order from least to greatest.
- Shark Pool Place Value-Match cuisinaire rods and the correct number.
Counting:
- Whack a Mole- Select your skip counting number and whack the mole that comes next in the sequence.
- Skip Counting Squares- Select your skip counting number and place the number squares in the correct sequence.
- Balloon Pop Skip Count- Select your skip counting number and pop the balloons in the correct sequence.
Basic Addition & Subtraction
- Math Magician- Select addition or subtraction for timed practice of basic facts. You can complete mixed practice or select a specific number to review.
- Sum Sense Addition- Timed fact practice of addition
- Sum Sense Subtraction- Timed fact practice of subtraction
References:
Lin, Raishay., (2011). Math research reveals early-learning needs. eSchool News, 15 (8), 77-78.
University of Missouri. (2011). MU Psychology Study Finds Key Early Skills for Later Math Learning [Press Release]. Retrieved from
I teach Kindergarten and I find that my students are on very different levels when they come into school and that they gain the skills at different times of the year. I love to find games and activities to play with my students in the classroom and at home with their parents to work on these specific skills. I know we just created a game called roll the turkey where the students roll a dice and then draw a piece of the turkey that correlates to the number they rolled. The students loved playing the game and we are designing different versions to go only with the winter season. I really liked the sites that you listed above and I am going to check them out for games in my classroom. I know that Mult-e-math has many game boards and can be made interactive by engaging the starboard! Great article!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog. I have my own tutoring business and I tutor a few 2nd graders that I started working with in kindergarten. They all seem to have gaps in math but from the information I was given math was not the focus in kindergarten and first grade, reading tended to overshadow math. I was brought in to work with them on their reading so the math I did with them was limited. Now it has caught up with them and my focus is on math. I will pass these games over to these parents. Thanks!
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