Number Sense with Cuisenaire Rods

I have some students in my class who don't quite have "number sense".  These are the kids who still don't automatically "count on" when adding two numbers together.  When determining the sum of two dice, they still count the dots!  These kids need more "hands on" opportunity to get to know these numbers inside out!

I absolutely LOVE Cuisenaire Rods for helping children develop their number sense.  I posted about them a while ago with THIS POST about using Cuisenaire Rods to practice math facts and fact families.  I've got some kids who need to back up even further and really need to get to know the individual numbers by using these manipulatives.


Come on over to Elementary Matters to see my ideas on using Cuisenaire Rods to develop Number Sense and download this freebie!

Starting the Year With Number Sense

I've been blessed with the gift of time!

Since I'm piloting a new math program this year, I've had some time at the beginning of the year to do some math activities of my choice before we start in with the new program.

Thanks to the ideas of Jessica Shumway's book, and lots of experience teaching math, I've been able to start the year with some valuable math experiences that will help the children internalize math concepts.  They're gaining Number Sense!  Come on over to Elementary Matters to see some of the math activities I've had a chance to do this year!

What would you do if you had time to choose what to teach in math?