Unit Plan 1 (Grade K Math): Math Routines & Counting
Build early counting skills in Kindergarten: establish math tool norms, practice one-to-one counting to 5, connect number names to quantities, and use cardinality to answer “how many?”
Focus: Launch math talk, manipulative norms, and daily counting; connect number names to quantities 0–5 with one-to-one and cardinality.
Grade Level: K
Subject Area: Mathematics (Counting & Cardinality)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 30–40 minutes per session
I. Introduction
This launch week builds classroom math culture and joyful counting. Students practice handling tools safely, talking about math, and matching number words to objects. They learn that the last number said tells “how many” and practice counting out a requested amount to 5.
Essential Questions
- How do we use and share math tools respectfully?
- What does it mean to count a set the right way?
- How do number words tell how many things are in a group?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Follow manipulative norms (get, use, return) and contribute to math talk routines.
- Count objects to 5 with one-to-one correspondence and say the last number to tell how many (cardinality).
- Recognize that the number of objects is the same regardless of order (if counted once each).
- Count out a given number of objects (0–5) when asked.
Standards Alignment — CCSS Kindergarten (threaded across the unit)
- K.CC.4a–c: Understand counting principles (one-to-one, cardinality, each next number is one more).
- K.CC.5: Count to answer “how many?” up to 5; count out a given number.
- Mathematical Practices: MP.1–MP.6 threaded (perseverance, reasoning, argument, modeling, tools, precision).
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can touch-count each object one time and say the last number to tell how many.
- I can count out a set of 0–5 when someone asks for a number.
- I can explain how I counted and show it with my finger/pointing.