Subitizing

Strand: Number
Outcome: 2

Step 5: Follow-up on Assessment

Guiding Questions

What conclusions can be made from assessment information?
How effective have instructional approaches been?
What are the next steps in instruction?

A. Addressing Gaps in Learning

If a student is having difficulty learning to subitize the numbers between one and five, start with the numbers one and two. Use concrete materials whenever possible. Have the student sort a series of dots into sets of one or two. Show the student different sets of two to see if they recognize them. Count sets of up to five objects. As you count sets, have them also identify the numerals and number words.

B. Reinforcing and Extending Learning

Students who have achieved or exceeded the outcomes will benefit from ongoing opportunities to apply and extend their learning.

Consider strategies, such as the following.

Subitize with numbers up to 10.
Ask the student to show you five blocks, using manipulatives. Then ask him or her to show you three blocks and ask, "What did you have to do?"
Ask the student, "If you had four plates and I put two cookies on each plate, how many cookies would be on the plates all together?"
Provide tips for parents on practicing the identification or extension of subitizing numbers at home. Look for sets of up to five in their daily living; e.g., in the kitchen, on the wallpaper or in the bathroom (five toothbrushes). When they are driving in the car, they might count or identify sets of things.