:wink:
hello everyone. I have a student in my Gr 3 class who can only count to 20. He’s a very good visual and auditory learner. I was wondering if anyone had any good tips for extending his counting ability.
Thanks for your help.
counting ability
Thanks for all the really great information you’ve given me des on both this problem and the reading problem. It has provided me with a really good sense of direction. As you have problem already figured out, I’m a beginning teacher and I have a zillion questions to ask. I’m just glad that I stumbled upon this board so that I could get some advice from knowledgeable people.
Thanks again!!!
:P :wink: :P :wink: :P
Re: counting ability
Are there any math assessments on this child? It is very hard for me to believe he is on grade level in math if he can only count to 20. That certainly is a red flag.
Janis
Re: counting ability
I’m pretty darn sure he’s not on grade level. There are certain basic skills. Even though I think rote counting is overrated, it still is a bit of a warning sign. Also if a kid can’t do it, how’s he going to know what comes after what?
OTOH, I’m sure the kid doesn’t know more basic stuff that is on a lower level.
—des
Re: counting ability
I was actaully wondering why he wasn’t in LD for math. I think he needs a referral if he isn’t already placed!
Janis
Rote counting is highly overrated. One of those skills that kids need to eventually get but I would be MORE concerned if he can count objects. If he can’t count objects in a meaningful way, then he can have no concept of any “higher” math skill including addition. I would work on counting things. Make sure he can count say, 5 objects. And then don’t add any more, just stretch them out. Put them in a line; put them in a circle. Does he need to count them each time? If he cannot do this, I would work on that til he gets it; with different nos, etc.
When he can do this, will he have to start all over if you add one. If not I would do that.
Can he put one object with another— say match up a knife and a fork. And then maybe blocks with a number of objects so that one block goes with one object (one to one correspondence). If he doesnt’ know how to do that, he will think that when he counts things he can just count and not worry that his numbers match the no. of objects.
I don’t mean to say that he shouldn’t ever learn how to count, but by the sounds of it this kid’s abilitiies are very impaired. And worrying about whether he actually can count to 21 or 100, before he knows what 5 is, say, is worrying about the wrong thing.
Answer those questions first.
—des