Number Sense is the understanding about the size of numbers and how numbers relate to each other. This concept is the foundation for pretty much every other area in math. It is super important!
Be sure that your child can correctly form numbers!
Numeral-Word-Picture Match:
Print these cards out and cut them apart. Then have your child match them up. This may be easy for some first graders. If it is easy, turn it into a concentration game by turning the cards over to make it more challenging. You can use all three cards or remove one--either the numeral, the word or the picture. This activity will help your child solidify correct spelling of number words, correct formation of numerals and a visual representation of the number. Use these cards any way you can think of!
Print these cards out and cut them apart. Then have your child match them up. This may be easy for some first graders. If it is easy, turn it into a concentration game by turning the cards over to make it more challenging. You can use all three cards or remove one--either the numeral, the word or the picture. This activity will help your child solidify correct spelling of number words, correct formation of numerals and a visual representation of the number. Use these cards any way you can think of!
5, 10 or 20 Frames:
These are great helps for students to be able to see numbers quickly and count accurately. One object goes into each box. Roll a dice and build various numbers.
Dice Game:
The Dice Game gives students the opportunity to practice reading, writing and showing numbers. First, students roll a dice (or pick a number). Next, they make that number on their 10 Frame. Then, they write the numeral, number word and draw what that number looks like on their ten frame. Keep repeating until done. Number words are listed at the top of the page to help students spell correctly.
These are great helps for students to be able to see numbers quickly and count accurately. One object goes into each box. Roll a dice and build various numbers.
Dice Game:
The Dice Game gives students the opportunity to practice reading, writing and showing numbers. First, students roll a dice (or pick a number). Next, they make that number on their 10 Frame. Then, they write the numeral, number word and draw what that number looks like on their ten frame. Keep repeating until done. Number words are listed at the top of the page to help students spell correctly.
Ordering Numbers:
Students pick 4 number cards. They place the numbers in order from smallest to largest. Then they record the four numbers on their paper. This helps students start thinking about the relative size of numbers and how numbers relate to each other.
Students pick 4 number cards. They place the numbers in order from smallest to largest. Then they record the four numbers on their paper. This helps students start thinking about the relative size of numbers and how numbers relate to each other.
Magic Number Game/Guess My Number:
The first person picks up a card without looking at it and holds it up to his/her forehead. Then the first person (same person that is holding the card on forehead) guesses a number. The second person tells the first person if the card is greater than, less than or equal to the guess. The first person makes another guess based on the second person's response until the first person says the correct number. Then the second person holds up a card. Continue taking turns.
Compare:
Compare is a lot like "war." One partner pulls out a card, says the number on the card and places it between the partners. Then the other partner does the same. The partner with the highest card says “me," clears the cards and puts the cards in the "used" pile. (You can let partners collect cards and play forever until one partner has all the cards...) Play until you have gone through the deck. If partners pull matching cards, each partner pulls another card and places it on top of the first cards drawn. Play with the highest card partner saying “me” for a while and then change and the partner with the lowest card says “me."
When your child gets comfortable with Compare, you may want to try Double Compare (see the Addition Section).
The first person picks up a card without looking at it and holds it up to his/her forehead. Then the first person (same person that is holding the card on forehead) guesses a number. The second person tells the first person if the card is greater than, less than or equal to the guess. The first person makes another guess based on the second person's response until the first person says the correct number. Then the second person holds up a card. Continue taking turns.
Compare:
Compare is a lot like "war." One partner pulls out a card, says the number on the card and places it between the partners. Then the other partner does the same. The partner with the highest card says “me," clears the cards and puts the cards in the "used" pile. (You can let partners collect cards and play forever until one partner has all the cards...) Play until you have gone through the deck. If partners pull matching cards, each partner pulls another card and places it on top of the first cards drawn. Play with the highest card partner saying “me” for a while and then change and the partner with the lowest card says “me."
When your child gets comfortable with Compare, you may want to try Double Compare (see the Addition Section).
Greater Than, Less Than & Equal To Game:
Students pick 2 number cards and fill in the correct math symbol to compare the numbers. If your child masters this with smaller numbers (on the number cards), try cutting up larger numbers to use (from a 100s Chart). Then, they can use the same skill with larger numbers.
Students pick 2 number cards and fill in the correct math symbol to compare the numbers. If your child masters this with smaller numbers (on the number cards), try cutting up larger numbers to use (from a 100s Chart). Then, they can use the same skill with larger numbers.
Raceway Number Values:
Play this great game. This will allow your child to work on the math symbols (>, <, =) and get rewarded with a racing game when he/she gets a few correct.
Play this great game. This will allow your child to work on the math symbols (>, <, =) and get rewarded with a racing game when he/she gets a few correct.
One More/Less Game:
Students roll a dice or pick a number card. They write the number in the center and fill in one less and one more. If your child masters this with smaller numbers, try cutting up larger numbers to use (from a 100s Chart). Then, they can use the same skill with larger numbers.
Students roll a dice or pick a number card. They write the number in the center and fill in one less and one more. If your child masters this with smaller numbers, try cutting up larger numbers to use (from a 100s Chart). Then, they can use the same skill with larger numbers.
1 & 10 More/Less:
Cut up the numbers from a 100s Chart. Pick a number to go into the center square. Fill in one less to the left and one more to the right. Fill in ten less above and ten more below. If your child is struggling, allow them to use a copy of a filled 100s chart as a reference. Eventually, the goal is to do it mentally without a 100s chart for support.
Cut up the numbers from a 100s Chart. Pick a number to go into the center square. Fill in one less to the left and one more to the right. Fill in ten less above and ten more below. If your child is struggling, allow them to use a copy of a filled 100s chart as a reference. Eventually, the goal is to do it mentally without a 100s chart for support.
100s Club:
Have your child practice writing to 120. Look for and talk about patterns you see in the numbers. You can print off one that is filled in and then color in the numbers you say when you count by 2s, 5s, or 10s. Our first grade team has the kids start with the number zero. Then the pattern is more obvious. We tell the kids that, on the first row, zero actually goes in front of every number. Then on the second row, starting with the number 10, one gets a turn to go in front of every number. So, one in front of zero makes ten and one in front of one makes eleven and so on. Then 2 gets a turn to go in front of all the numbers. Eventually, after 9 gets a turn to go in front of 9, and you have 99, the 10 gets a turn and you have 100! Cool! Then, on the next row, eleven gets a turn and finally 12. Your child can race the clock to see how fast he/she can write to 120. You can even print off 2 sheets and race your child.
Missing Numbers on a 100s Chart:
Use a 100s chart that has been filled. Cover up a number or two. Have your child figure out which number is missing. Students will use their understanding of numbers and relationships to solve for the missing number.
Have your child practice writing to 120. Look for and talk about patterns you see in the numbers. You can print off one that is filled in and then color in the numbers you say when you count by 2s, 5s, or 10s. Our first grade team has the kids start with the number zero. Then the pattern is more obvious. We tell the kids that, on the first row, zero actually goes in front of every number. Then on the second row, starting with the number 10, one gets a turn to go in front of every number. So, one in front of zero makes ten and one in front of one makes eleven and so on. Then 2 gets a turn to go in front of all the numbers. Eventually, after 9 gets a turn to go in front of 9, and you have 99, the 10 gets a turn and you have 100! Cool! Then, on the next row, eleven gets a turn and finally 12. Your child can race the clock to see how fast he/she can write to 120. You can even print off 2 sheets and race your child.
Missing Numbers on a 100s Chart:
Use a 100s chart that has been filled. Cover up a number or two. Have your child figure out which number is missing. Students will use their understanding of numbers and relationships to solve for the missing number.
100 Number Chart Game:
Play this game to practice skills on the 100s chart. Students will place missing numbers on a 100s chart.
Play this game to practice skills on the 100s chart. Students will place missing numbers on a 100s chart.
Dog Bone Game:
Play this 100s Chart game. Students try their best to figure out where numbers should belong on the 100s chart. They have to use their number sense to decide where numbers belong.
Play this 100s Chart game. Students try their best to figure out where numbers should belong on the 100s chart. They have to use their number sense to decide where numbers belong.