Activate prior knowledge about counting-begin with a counting story such as Mouse Count or one of your favorites (see Unit Guide for suggested books). Use tools that will be added to the students' toolkit to help students count (counters, cubes, etc.)

Use a counting jar to provide ongoing practice and reinforcement with counting.

Virtual Manipulatives

Provide a sentence frame for EL learners ("I have _____ counters")

Students will be taught to understand

total number of objects can be found by counting
the last counted number describes the total amount in the set

Counting strategies can be introduced while co-creating a strategies anchor chart with the students.

(Sample Counting Strategies Anchor Chart)

VDOE vocabulary cards to introduce concept of numbers and rational counting

Number/Numeral Card Counting by Ones Card Number Path Card