Early Numeracy

Early Numeracy K-2

What to Look For: Student Thinking in Early Numeracy

Course Description
Children arrive in Grade 1 with a range of abilities —from those just learning to count to those who can add, subtract, multiply, and divide with small numbers. How do teachers support all of these children to learn with understanding, enthusiasm, and proficiency? In this highly interactive course, we focus on recognizing and assessing children’s initial thinking so that we can help them to develop more efficient addition and subtraction strategies.

During the two days we will

analyze student videos to learn to recognize and assess the many strategies children use for basic calculations
develop a continuum of strategies from early counting (e.g., counting three times) through increasingly efficient strategies to knowing the ‘facts’
analyze student work and thinking on the continuum
practise mini-lessons, create word problems, and play games that foster children’s growth and learning
examine the mathematics children can learn at this early age and how it links to and supports math learning at later grades

Audience
Gr. 1-2 Teachers

Two-Day Institute Overview
In advance of the first day, interview 5 students by posing these two word problems:
5 +7 = __ 14-6 = ___
Record your observations and, if possible, bring student work samples to Day 1.

DAY 1

Address concerns and questions about mathematics. (Why aren’t we focusing on facts? What should children be able to do in Grade 1? Grade 2?)
Develop the Continuum of Addition and Subtraction strategies
Identify addition and subtraction key ideas and strategies
Use participants’ samples to assess where students are on the continuum

DAY 2

Learn more about the underlying mathematics
Use and teach with:
- Mini-lesson strings
- Word problems
- Games
Complete the Continuum with learning the “facts” and alternative algorithms

Outcomes

Develop a stronger understanding of how young children learn to add and subtract
Appreciate how developing a range of strategies lays the groundwork for learning more complex mathematics
Create a learning environment that engages and extends students’ mathematical thinking

Course Fee and Structure
$225 per person, 25 to 35 participants or $290 per person, including print and etext professional learning resource

Delivery Method
Face to face; highly interactive

Related Resources