Series: Focus on the Lesson

Attendance Routine to Build Number Sense

Attendance Routine to Build Number Sense

A daily activity such as taking attendance can be a powerful way to build number sense. This Spanish-language example of an attendance routine uses a pocket chart designed to look like a rekenrek with groups of 5 pockets in contrasting colors that make rows of 10. These preschoolers know that 20 is a special number; there are 20 children in the class, and the chart is full when everyone is present. They are also learning about the unique mathematical properties of 20: that it is composed of 4 fives or 2 tens.