25 minutes · AC9MFN01 and AC9MFN03 (0–20 representations and quantifying); partial practice · educator review pending
Success: The child counts a loose collection to 20 with one count action per object and uses the final count as the total, then matches its numeral.
Prepare per pair: up to 20 large objects, two mats, cards 0–20 and two ten-frames. Use an uncounted supply and print-aids.md.
- Retrieve, 3 min. Show an empty mat and a 10-object frame. Ask for the totals and numerals
0and10. - Model, 6 min. Scatter 17 objects. Move each once to the second mat while counting aloud. Say, “Seventeen was the last number I said, so there are seventeen altogether.” Show
17. Rearrange without adding or removing; recount to verify. - Guided game, 9 min. Partners choose a pretend order: 16 library markers, 19 garden labels, or 12 blanket cards for an animal shelter. One builds a loose set; the other counts and chooses the numeral, then swap. Ask “How did you make sure none was counted twice?”
- Fresh try, 4 min. Give 14 loose objects and cards
13/14/15. “How many? Choose its card.” Then let the child lay the objects in a new shape and say whether the total changed. - Check, 3 min. Show 20 in two full ten-frames. Ask for the whole total. Key: independent loose set 14, card
14, unchanged after rearrangement; two full frames total 20.
If an object is skipped or counted twice: Move each to a receiving mat exactly once and repeat at the smallest successful range. If a child names the last object “fourteen” but answers “many,” sweep a hand around the collection and link the last count word to the whole set.
Access and record: Grippable objects, separate raised mats, large/tactile cards, spoken descriptions and directed partner movement are available. Accept speech, sign, AAC, pointing or objects. Record count actions, final total, numeral link, range and cues.