Unit Plan 13 (PreK Math): Fluency to 5—Hands-On Games
Build emerging fluency within 5 by quickly showing totals with fingers, counters, or five-frames; focus on cardinality and confident representation without symbols.
Focus: Build emerging fluency within 5 using fingers, songs/chants, quick images, and “show me” games; emphasize cardinality and confident, fast representation without symbols.
Grade Level: PreK
Subject Area: Mathematics (Operations in Play)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 20–30 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Children practice quick ways to show totals to 5. Through music-and-movement games, finger flashes, dot/quick image cards, and five-frames, learners respond rapidly and accurately and then state how many.
Essential Questions
- How can I show a number to 5 quickly and accurately?
- Which tool (fingers, counters, five-frame, cubes) helps me show how many best?
- How do I know the last number said tells how many in the set?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Flash and show numbers to 5 with fingers or objects quickly and accurately.
- Count a shown set and state the total using the last number said.
- Choose and use a familiar tool (five-frame, counters, cubes, fingers) to show how many to 5.
- Explain their show-me choice (e.g., “I used my fingers” or “I filled the five-frame”).
Standards Alignment — Custom CCSS-style Pre-Kindergarten
- PK.OA.5 — Emerging fluency within 5 (with support). Quickly shows totals to 5 with fingers/objects; uses language, not symbols. Example: Flashes 3 fingers and adds 2 more to show 5. (Aligns to: K.OA.5 readiness)
- PK.CC.5 — Cardinality to 10. Understands the last number said tells “how many” in the set. Example: After counting 6 cubes, says “There are 6.” (Aligns to: K.CC.4b–c direct)
- (Supportive) MP.1, MP.4, MP.5, MP.6 — Persevere in tasks, model with tools, choose appropriate tools, and communicate precisely.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can show numbers to 5 quickly with fingers, counters, or a five-frame.
- I can count and say the total using the last number I said.
- I can choose a tool that helps me show how many and tell why I chose it.