Unit Plan 8 (PreK Math): Counting in Motion—1 to 10

Focus: Count forward to 10 through movement games and songs; use one-to-one actions to match counts to sets and state how many.

Grade Level: PreK

Subject Area: Mathematics (Counting & Cardinality in Play)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 20–30 minutes per session

I. Introduction

Children link body movement to counting by marching, clapping, hopping, and passing objects while saying number words 1–10. They practice one-to-one correspondence (one action per count) and learn that the last number said tells how many in the set (cardinality).

Essential Questions

• How can I use my movements to help me count to 10?
• What does it mean to count one thing for each number word?
• How do I know how many there are when I finish counting?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Recite number words from 1 to 10 during songs, chants, and games.
2. Use one-to-one actions (touch/move/say) to count objects or steps to 10.
3. Tell how many by using the last number said after counting a set.
4. Match counted sets to numerals or ten-frame pictures (within 10).

Standards Alignment — Custom CCSS-style Pre-Kindergarten

• PK.CC.1 — Count to 10 (rote & meaningful). Says number names in order to 10 during songs, games, routines. (Aligns to K.CC.1—foundation)
• PK.CC.4 — One-to-one counting to 10. Touches/moves one object for each number word. (Aligns to K.CC.4a—direct)
• PK.CC.5 — Cardinality to 10. Understands the last number said tells “how many” in the set. (Aligns to K.CC.4b–c—direct)
• (Supportive) MP.2, MP.6 — Make sense of quantities; attend to precision in saying number words.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can say numbers from 1 to 10 in order.
• I can touch/move one thing for each number word.
• I can tell how many after I finish counting.
• I can match the set I counted to a numeral or ten-frame card.