Prerequisite Skills for Place Value: Subitizing A Training Designed for Kindergarten Through 5th Grade Educators

Learning Targets At the end of this PowerPoint you will be able to apply knowledge of subitizing. This includes being able to: Define subitizing Compare subitizing to the other prerequisite skills for place value. Give an example of subitizing Illustrate a strategy of instruction for subitizing.

Take Notes As you progress through this PowerPoint, be sure to continue to take notes on the provided form linked on the main screen for this module. The form will help you to keep track of your thinking. SAVE your notes, as they will serve as a resource for upcoming activities and can be used in your classroom.

Think About This… Think back to our TDG Math Best Practices Class. Was the word subitizing used? What do you remember about subitizing (if anything)? Think of one thing you could share about subitizing, even if it’s “I don’t remember ever hearing this word before.”

Definition Subitizing means: Identifying the number of objects in a small group of objects without counting.

Let’s Clarify Basically… Subitizing is when you see a small set of objects and you automatically know the number of objects without having to count each object one-by-one.

How many dots are shown on the top of the dice? For Example… Look at the image: How many dots are shown on the top of the dice?

Subitizing I’m guessing you quickly saw…. You most likely did not count each dot. When you saw the dice you automatically said, “Six.” If you did not count the dots, you are able to subitize, as most adults have this ability. However, this is not the case for kids since they must develop this skill.

A little more info Watch the video below.

Think About This… Why is it important to teach subitizing? Why do students need to develop this skill?

Why Teach Subitizing? Watch the video below.

It’s Essential! As you saw in the video, providing instruction in subitizing is essential for children! Subitizing is a foundational skill for many math concepts. Taking the time now to provide instruction while students are young is important to help them develop their mathematical skills and not fall behind.

Important Reading Click on the link below to read an important article about providing instruction for subitizing. Subitizing: What Is It? Why Teach It?

Think About This… Do all of your students know how to subitize? What strategies can you use to provide instruction?

Instructional Strategies There are MANY strategies that can be used to teach subitizing. The following slides present various engaging ideas you can use with your students.

Resources for Teaching Subitizing The following are links to articles and web pages with example strategies: Games Galore Ten Frame Power Points K-2 Subitizing Activities Subitizing Partner Game Quick Ten Frames

Resources for Teaching Subitizing Sometimes seeing strategies in action can be helpful. The following are links to videos with example strategies: “Subitizing Made Easy”

More Resources for Teaching Subitizing “The Subitize Tree App”

More Resources for Teaching Subitizing Subitizing Dots Plus Music

Think About This… How is subitizing the same as the other four prerequisite skills for place value that we have already learned about? Look at your notes. Name one way subitizing is different from each of the other four prerequisite skills?

Self-Reflection Are you able to… Define subitizing? Compare subitizing to the other prerequisite skills for place value? Give an example of subitizing? Illustrate a strategy of instruction for subitizing? How can you use what you learned about subitizing in your classroom?