Number of the Day – Level I

I have long believed that in elementary school that students should be involved with numbers everyday in math time. This may not always be the case — the teacher might be teaching a unit on pattering or geometry, for instance. While those are worthwhile concepts, I still remain convinced that students need some time each day to think about and work with numbers.

One way this can be accomplished is through the use of Number of the Day sheets. The idea of using such a sheet is not new – indeed, there are many versions available on the Internet.

I have added my own version of the Number of the Day sheet into the mix. In fact, I will be adding several versions over the next few days that are targeted at different levels of learners

The Number of the Day sheet I am posting today is one that can be used in Kindergarten classes, but it may be useful in Grade one classes early in the school year. The components are self-explanatory, although I did have one teacher who started using the sheet call me and ask about colouring on the 25 chart. She asked, “If the number of the day is 12, am I supposed to have students just find and colour the numeral 12, or are they supposed to colour all the boxes up to and including 12?” My response was, “Yes!” Either way is good, with each method focusing on something slightly different about the number 12.

Breaking the number apart in different ways is an import thing for students to practice. As John Van de Walle wrote, “To conceptualize a number as being made up of two or more parts is the most important relationship that can be developed about numbers.” [Van de Walle, J. and Folk, S. (2005). Elementary and Middle School Mathematics: Teaching Developmentally (Canadian Edition). Pearson: Toronto.]

I am delighted to offer the sheet in a French version as well. Merci to my friend and colleague Lynn St. Louis for her translation.

Download the English version here.

Download the French version here.

Mathematically yours,

Carollee