How many, without counting?

Some amounts you just see. You do not have to count.

MathAges 2–310 minutes3 pagesEnglish textInk-light

Being written

This one is planned but not finished yet. Everything below is what it will contain.

Not drawn yet

I can see how many there are without counting them.

How the fifteen minutes go

The five steps on this sheet, in the order a child meets them. This is what you will actually be doing, not a description of the method.

1
Wonder
Some amounts you just see. You do not have to count.
2
Listen
Your grown-up covers a box, uncovers it for one second, covers it again.
3
Explore
How many? Say it fast. Do not count.
4
Try
Look again to check. Were you right?
5
Share
Which was easiest to see straight away, one, two or three?

Print the one that fits today. Same skill, three depths — and on this sheet they differ like this.

Support

Up to 2 only, and the box stays uncovered.

Fewer items, more pictures, hints included, parent reads the instructions.

Core

Up to 3, one-second flash.

The standard task, recognition, practice and explanation.

Challenge

Up to 5, and ask how they saw it, 'two and one' is a real answer.

Open-ended. Explain why, make your own example, use it somewhere new.

The same guide that is printed on the back page, so you can read it before you decide to print anything.

The answers

Boxes contain 1, 3, 2, 3, 1, 2 in that order.

If they get stuck

Drop to two items. Subitising two is nearly automatic and rebuilds confidence in a minute.

Common mistakes

Counting on fingers. That is a different skill and it is fine, but flash it faster next time.
An adult letting them count. The one-second cover is the whole method.

When they finish early

Roll a die and say the number without counting the dots. That is subitising, and it is a real life skill.