After spending the past few years teaching math with Montessori methodology, I was fascinated at how the materials made even the most complicated of math concepts accessible to all learners. In math, more than any other subject, materials need to be concrete and FUN.
Skip counting in traditional primary grades is usually confined to 2s, 5s, and 10s. Most math curriculum has students just write the skip counting sequences without giving that visual cue!
Montessori introduces ALL of the skip counting patterns from 2s to 12s, rather early using their beaded manipulatives. Problem being: most Montessori materials are pricey and out of most classroom teachers’ and homeschoolers’ budgets!
The underlying concepts of Montessori skip counting have inspired the work in this pack, as well as the visual needs of today’s kids. Rote counting on a 100 or 120 chart isn’t enough of a base to really give our learners what skip counting is actually setting the foundation for in mathematical understanding: arrays (the basis of multiplication).
We’ve taken the concept of skip counting and have disrupted the usual: Skip Counting with the Three Little Pigs!
Interactive Skip Counting Pocket Chart Math Centers
In a whole group setting or during a math meeting, this pocket chart center takes the classic “Three Little Pigs” and incorporates it into skip counting by 3s patterning. We have differentiated it by providing scaffolding for learners who need to SEE the numbers paired with the object correspondence.
Skip Counting Differentiated File Folder Games
For individual work, we have also created two file folder games, also differentiated, for review. You can make these wipe and write, or for those who respond to velcroed pieces, it can be a way to order the numbers with the tiered visual cues. One version of the game has the one-to-one correspondence (1,2,3) there to help the kids connect the counting with the skip counting. The other version is blank.
Skip Counting Wipe and Write Math Center
A wipe and write center, with the three little pigs visual cues is also provided for learners who need to write to remember.
Montessori-inspired Skip Counting Math Center
Finally, we’ve included introductory arrays, and use this skip counting center to show how skip counting is actually an array for multiplication. Using the Montessori methodology for skip counting (in lieu of the pricey bead system) students use the three little pigs visuals to aid in their understanding of skip counting.
Over the next few weeks, we will be adding our visual skip counting packs to our Teachers Pay Teachers store (from 2s to 12s). Theses packs are perfect for high-achievers in early primary, and perfect for kids in the 2nd-5th grade range who need visual cues to aid in their multiplication understanding.
Stay tuned for more math ideas soon!
Happy Skip Counting!
Nicolette
