Chapter 8: Developing Early Number Concepts and Number Sense

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts, relationships, models, and activities from Chapter 8 on developing early number concepts and number sense.

Number sense

A good intuition about numbers and their relationships that develops through exploring numbers, visualizing them in contexts, and relating them beyond rote algorithms.

Cardinality

The concept that a set has a specific size, indicated by the last counting word spoken when counting the set.

Patterned sets

Sets of objects arranged in recognizable patterns that allow the number of items to be determined without counting.

Patterned set recognition (subitizing)

The ability to instantly recognize patterns of dots or objects and know how many without counting.

Anchors to 5 and 10

Using 5 and 10 as reference points to relate numbers, since 5 is a common subunit and 10 equals two fives.

Part-part-whole

A way to understand a number as the sum of two or more parts, foundational for addition and subtraction.

Doubles

The relationship where doubling a number (e.g., 4 + 4) equals twice that number (8); a useful fact for basic computation.

Ten-frame

A 2 by 5 frame used to represent numbers visually and anchor ideas around 5 and 10.

Five-frame

A 1 by 5 frame used as an introductory visual tool to connect numbers to the anchor 5.

Dot plates

Patterned plates with dots used to teach recognition of dot patterns and number relationships.

Dot cards

Cards showing dot patterns (including standard dot arrangements and ten-frames) used for various number-concept activities.

Numeral recognition

Reading and recognizing single-digit numerals; an early skill that often precedes deeper number concepts.

Up and Back Counting

Counting forward and then backward in a rhythmic or movement-based activity to strengthen fluency.

Counting On

Continuing counting from a given number to find how many are in a larger set or total.

Counting Back

Counting backward from a given number to find differences or smaller quantities.

One more/One less

Relationships showing that a number is one more than or one less than another.

Two more/Two less

Relationships showing that a number is two more than or two less than another.

Two-more-than machine

A calculator-based activity where pressing +2 after a number yields the number two more than the input (and continues to count by twos).

More or Less

An activity where players adjust a counter total using cards labeled 'More' or 'Less' and predict the new total.

Missed-part activities

Part-part-whole activities where a whole is shown and a missing part must be inferred (progress toward subtraction).

Covered Parts

A variation where part of the part is hidden and must be identified to complete the whole.

Missing-Part Cards

Cards showing a whole and one or more visible parts with a hidden part; students name or deduce the missing part.

I Wish I Had

A missing-part activity where students state what is needed to reach a target total, then check by counting.

Build It in Parts

A part-part-whole activity using different materials (cubes, bars, dot strips) to make the same total in two parts; students read number sentences.

Two Out of Three

A part-part-whole activity listing three numbers where two total the whole; students select the pair that matches.

Crazy Mixed-Up Numbers

Ten-frame activity where students change their frames to represent new numbers as called, often with 'plus' or 'minus' explanations.

Ten-Frame Flash

Fast, quick-drawing or showing of ten-frames to elicit quick number sense responses; variations include saying spaces, numbers, or totals.

Pattern recognition with dot cards

Using dot patterns to develop pattern recognition and number relationships beyond counting.

Numeral writing and recognition

Teaching numeral writing and recognition as a precursor to deeper number concepts, often using tools like calculators for practice.