Skip Counting by Twos – Elementary Math

Purpose

To practice skip counting fluently

Materials

hundreds chart (optional)

Overview

number line hotel Children first practice counting by ones, emphasizing all of the even numbers as they count, as a way to prepare for skip counting by twos. Then children skip count aloud by twos, initially starting at 0 and then eventually starting at a different even number, such as 12 or 16.

(Optional: You might find it helpful to demonstrate on a hundreds chart or number line by moving your finger in jumps of 2).

About the sequence

Part 1 begins counting by ones, having children emphasize the even numbers. Part 2 moves to skip counting by twos fluently. The extension focuses on skip counting by twos starting at a number greater than 10.

Part 1

Let’s count together like this: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6… Ready?

If children need more practice or are enjoying their mastery, repeat. If children are ready to move on, go to Part 2.

Part 2

Let’s skip count by twos starting at 0 and ending at ___ (30).

If children need more practice, repeat. Or, when children seem excited for a new challenge, move to the extension.

Extension

Let’s skip count by twos starting at ___ (choose an even number greater than 10, such as 16).

Examples:

16, 18, 20, 22, 24…
12, 14, 16, 18, 20…
24, 26, 28, 30, 32…
28, 30, 32, 34, 36…