Counting On Cups

Counting on is a mental math strategy used to increase math fluency. It is generally the first mental math strategy that should be taught, as it is the easiest for most students. Chances are that some or many of your students are already using this strategy without knowing it. Counting on means that you start with the biggest number in an equation, and then count up. For example, in the equation 5+3, you want students to start with the “5″ in their heads, and then count up, “6, 7, 8.” This is to discourage students from counting like, “1, 2, 3, 4, 5…..6, 7, 8.”  It sure does beat putting 6 on your fingers and 5 on your fingers....then, realizing you don't have anymore fingers when solving the equation 6+5! :)

Check out this counting on activity you can  easily implement into your math centers. This activity can be played with a partner or independently.

Counting on Cups