Subitizing is a big word for such a simple concept. Funny how that happens! Much like reading, students need a solid foundation in number fluency. Subitizing activities are a great way to help students do just that! As a result of not learning how to subitize, students might have difficulty with spatial reasoning, understanding addition and subtraction, and number sense.
For that reason, it’s important to make some room throughout the week for students to practice subitizing. It can be short and simple, but the result of it will be powerful. Let’s dig into subitizing, why it’s important, and how you can practice in the classroom.
Subitizing simply means the ability to recognize a group of objects instantly (without counting each object). Think of rolling a die. You know how many dots there are without sitting and counting each one. When you see a dot in each corner and one in the middle, you automatically know it’s five. That is subitizing. Other common things we subitize are dominoes, tally marks, and ten frames.
Learning how to instantly recognize numbers provides a solid foundation for number fluency. According to NCTM, subitizing ultimately leads to counting on, addition, subtraction, and number sense. First students learn perceptual subitizing – quickly recognizing the small groups of objects. Then, students move towards conceptual subitizing – quickly finding patterns and use them to find totals.
For our primary students, subitizing practice helps them recognize numbers, tally marks, objects in ten frames, and numbers on dice. This helps them learn about composing and decomposing sets, which then leads to addition and subtraction.
This FREE downloadable game is a great way to make subitizing fun. It’s played similarly to War. It includes numbers one through ten with a festive reindeer theme. The cards have numbers, traditional dot dice formation, and random dot patterns. This game is great for a math work station, for morning work, or for students to practice and play with you at your small group table
Just download, print,and laminate, and you’ll be totally set. Grab your FREEBIE below!
This is a simple game to throw together and requires supplies that you typically can easily grab from your classroom. You’ll need a cup (or just use your hands), two sided counters, and a dry erase board and marker.
First, have students put ten red and yellow counters in a cup. Next, shake them up and dump them out. See how quickly they can count the reds and the yellows. Finally, have them write down the number in numerical form, tally marks, or in a ten frame – whichever way you want them to practice.
Students can practice this individually and you can walk around and monitor. You can also do it in a small group at your table or students can do it in partners!
There so many videos and songs to check out. These are great to play during calendar time, as a math warm-up, or when you have a few extra minutes you want to fill with meaningful practice.
Remember that practicing this can be done with your students throughout the day in short chunks of time, during morning work, in math stations, or at the end of the day. It’s just important that you are making time to teach students how to subtilize so that they can build a solid foundation for math concepts.
Make it fun with engaging games and activities. By making a little time to teach this concept, you’ll set your students up for success in math.
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These math resources are newly updated and packed with activities to help your students master their standards. Each of these resources has a teaching plan, teaching posters, interactive notebook components, independent practice, math station activities, math warm-ups, an assessment, and more!
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