Showing Fingers (Silent Teaching)

Purpose

To match numeral and quantity.

Overview

Instead of showing children a quantity or telling them a number, silently write a number from 1 to 6 on the board and have children show the quantity using fingers on one or two hands. This will provide an opportunity to identify which children need additional practice reading numbers.

About the sequence

Part 1 has children show the number written using one hand. Part 2 moves to showing the number written using two hands. The extension progresses to showing combinations in a different way.

Part 1

I’m going to silently write a number between 1 and 5 on the board. Show how you can make this number using one hand.

Write a number between 1 and 5.

While children are enjoying their building of mastery, feel free to repeat. When children are eager for more, try Part 2.

Part 2

I’m going to silently write a number between 1 and 6 on the board. Show how you can make this number using two hands.

Write a number between 1 and 6.

As always, when children seem excited for a new challenge, move on.

Extension

Now show ____ (point to the number silently) in a different way.