Big Ideas Covered
Week 6 focused on the concept of pre-number and early number. Both of these concepts are so important, in which a child must understand pre-number concepts before formally studying number (Jamieson-Proctor, 2019).
The image below identifies the BIG IDEAS of Week 6.
I found Week 6 very helpful, in which my understanding of pre-number concepts has developed immensely. In fact, I did not actually know that there are six pre-number concepts that a student must understand and that there are five counting principles. As a future educator, I will ensure that I assess each students’ understanding of pre-number concepts before formally studying number. I was also ensure that I provide each student with multiple opportunities to explore patterning.
Concept, Skill or Strategy
Sorting by attributes is whereby three or more objects are sorted into a smaller group based on an attribute. It is important that the attribute is mathematical wether it be shape or size (Jamieson-Proctor, 2019).
The 3 D’S of sorting include:
- Decide: Decide on the mathematical attribute E.g. Size, Shape, Thickness
- Do: Do the sort (THE SKILL)
- Describe: Describe what has been sorted
IMPORTANT: There is no symbolic language stage within pre-number.
Misconception
A misconception that a student may develop is that patterns are only created using shapes. This misconception may develop as pattern blocks are a commonly used when the pre-number concept of patterning is first taught. To remediate this misconception, I will encourage each student to use multiple resources to create patterns instead of simply pattern blocks. These resources may include counters or stickers. I will also encourage each student to create both verbal and movement patterns.
ACARA + Scootle
Year Level: Foundation, 1 and 2
Kitchen Stacker is a scootle resource which could be used to teach pre-number concepts at the children’s language stage. Within Kitchen Stacker, each student is required to match and sort by attributes. A limitation is that each student is not matching or sorting by a mathematical attribute.
Resource or Teaching Strategy
Attribute Buttons is a fantastic resource which could be used to teach all six pre-number concepts, at either the children’s or the materials language stage. When using this resource, an educator may ask each student to sort the Attribute Buttons into groups based on either size or shape. A caution that I would have when using Attribute Buttons is that some of the buttons are very small, which could cause choking if placed in a mouth. Although this is unlikely, it does need to be considered if being used within an early childhood centre.
Concept, Skill or Strategy: Textbook
It is so important that each student is often asked to either create, copy or extend a pattern to develop the pre-number concept of patterning (Reys et al, 2017). Within Reys et al, p. 187, the skill of copying a pattern is explained, in which such skill is whereby a student is shown a pattern and then asked to copy the pattern (Reys et al, 2017). Copying a pattern would be taught prior to or in the foundation year using resources such as pattern blocks and/or string and beads.
References
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. (2015). Mathematics: Sequence of Content. Retrieved from: https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/media/3680/mathematics_-_sequence_of_content.pdf
Education Services Australia. (2013). Kitchen Stacker. Retrieved from: http://www.scootle.edu.au/ec/viewing/L2348/index.html
Jamieson-Proctor, R. (2019). EDMA241, Week 5 Part 1 [PowerPoint Slides]. Retrieved from: https://leo.acu.edu.au/mod/book/view.php?id=2406574&chapterid=190012
Jamieson-Proctor, R. (2019). EDMA241, Week 5 Part 2 [PowerPoint Slides]. Retrieved from: https://leo.acu.edu.au/mod/book/view.php?id=2406574&chapterid=190011
Punkoney, S. (2014). Attribute Sorting: Teaching Similarities and Differences. Retrieved from: https://stayathomeeducator.com/attribute-sorting-teaching-similarities-and-differences/
Reys, R., Lindquist, M., Lambdin, D., Smith, N., Rogers, A., Cooke, A., Ewing, B., Robson, K & Bennett, S. (2017). Helping Children Learn Mathematics. (2nd ed.). Milton: John Wiley & Sons.
EDMA Reflective Journal 