Kindergarten Number Talk

What standard will you emphasize?

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.CC.A.2
Count forward beginning from a given number within the known sequence (instead of having to
begin at 1).
● For this subitizing lesson, by using a 10 frame students can see and recognize that half is
5, then add on from 5. In the same sense, students see that the whole 10-frame plus 2
more is 12. They are able to subitize 5 and 10 and then count up.

What problems will you use?

What mathematical idea do you want students to explore?

I want the kids to explore subitizing using a 10-frame. I will use objects, such as circle

magnets, to help myself and the students during this number talk. I will encourage the subitizing

strategy by flipping the white board over before the students can count the individual magnets. I

will start with a small number, like 5, as a warm up, then move on to larger numbers.
What representations will you use? What questions do you plan to ask?

I will use a whiteboard with different
colored magnets on it so I can easily
change the problem and switch out the
magnets.
How many dots did you see?
How did you know that?
Did anyone see that in a different way?

What strategies, productive and unproductive, do you expect to see?

I am expecting students to attempt to count the magnets to get a solution. I am trying to encourage
subitizing, so I am planning to flip the whiteboard to push students to think this way.

Once students catch on to what I am doing, I think they will start to subitize as a more productive strategy.
I believe that students will be able to subitize because they often work with the 10 frame, so they know that
half of a 10 frame is 5 and the whole 10 frame is 10. Once they see a half or whole 10 frame, they will
hopefully add or count on from a familiar number.

How will you ensure wide participation?
In a small group, I think it will be easier to ensure
participation. I will make sure to call on each student
at some point during the number talk. I will also ask
if anyone has a different idea or strategy to make
sure I am not leaving out anyone’s thoughts.
In a whole group, I will use turn-and-talks to give
each student a voice. If participation is low, I will
draw sticks to encourage sharing.
How will you help kids engage with each other’s
ideas?
I will prompt students to show me how I will know
that they have an idea (by putting their thumb on
their heart). I will also ask if they have different
ideas or the same thought to keep all students
engaged.