Foundational Math Topics
Age/Grade Levels
Content Formats
Series
Foundational Math Topic: Sets
Sets are basic to children’s thinking and learning. They are also basic to our number system. One of the most important jobs of each number is to describe “how many” there are in a set of things —be it one, seven, or three hundred and nineteen. Before we can figure out how many apples there are, we have to decide which things are apples, and which are not. Once we’ve created the set of things that are apples, perhaps by separating them from the oranges, then we can count them. Counting requires a set, and as a result, the properties of sets have a large influence on the number system, and on mathematics. © Erikson Institute’s Early Math Collaborative. Reprinted from Big Ideas of Early Mathematics: What Teachers of Young Children Need to Know (2014), Pearson Education.
Series: Book Ideas
5 Kids’ Books that Involve Sets and Sorting
December 11, 2019
Children look for ways to organize and make sense of their world through play at school and home, as well as at clean-up time. Sorting items into groups by specific attributes gives children the opportunity to define sets according to a rule of what does and does not belong together.
- Topic: Sets
- Age/Grade Level: Kindergarten, Pre-K
- Tags Cynthia Weill, Emily Jenkins, Family math, Stuart J Murphy, Tana Hoban
Series: Ideas at Work September 18, 2018
All Sorts of Families: Connecting School and Home with Math
All members of a household have things in common and things that set them apart. Exploring the important ways that loved ones go together and what makes them unique involves both mathematical thinking and a…
- Topic: Sets
- Age/Grade Level: Kindergarten, Pre-K
- Tags Family math
Professional Development Module: Sets
Sets are basic to children’s thinking and learning. They are also basic to our number system. One of the most important jobs of each number is to describe “how many” there are in a set of things. This module is a flexible set of materials that explore the foundational math topic known as sets.
- Topic: Sets
- Age/Grade Level: Kindergarten, Pre-K
Series: Book Ideas June 13, 2017
Matching and Concepts of Same and Different… with Socks!
Does a polka-dotted sock match a striped sock? In the book A Pair of Socks young children will learn about an important early skill: matching.
- Topic: Sets
- Age/Grade Level: Kindergarten, Pre-K
- Tags Animals
Series: Book Ideas January 3, 2017
4 Books That Inspire Algebraic Thinking in Young Children
One of the best ways to delve into the rules and patterns that govern algebra is through the books that are read to children each and every day.
- Topic: Number Operations, Sets
- Age/Grade Level: 0-3, 1st Grade, Kindergarten, Pre-K
- Tags Books
Series: About the Collaborative December 10, 2015
At NAEYC Conference, Collaborative Talks Math for Babies and Toddlers
On November 18th-21st, 2015 instructors Dr. Hynes-Berry and Dr. Chen attended the annual national conference, presenting on the precursor concepts of math for babies and infants three-years-old and younger.
Series: Focus on Collaboration December 9, 2015
Analyzing Video in a Grade Level Meeting
In this video, a team of preschool teachers looks at video from a classroom to find and discuss evidence of student thinking.
- Topic: Sets
- Age/Grade Level: Pre-K
- Tags Grade level meeting
Series: Hear from the Experts September 16, 2015
Talking with Children Sets the Groundwork for Mathematical Learning
A new book, Thirty Million Words: Building a Child's Brain, explains the importance of regularly talking with children ages 0-3—the time during which the brain develops most rapidly. Ensuring that these conversations take place will help children progress with their language, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills.
Series: Focus on the Child June 11, 2015
Sorting Rocks with Child 31
A student organizes rocks into different groups based on their unique characteristics.
- Topic: Sets
- Age/Grade Level: Kindergarten, Pre-K
- Tags Child 31, Nature
Series: Focus on the Child June 11, 2015
Sorting Rocks with Child 14
A kindergarten student organizes a collection of rocks into unique sets. Simple questions can result in explorations in core math concepts such as grouping. In this case, some very unusual groups are created.
- Topic: Sets
- Age/Grade Level: Kindergarten, Pre-K
- Tags Child 14, English Language Learner, Nature
Do the math.
Free videos.
Free newsletter packed with ideas.
Free professional learning modules.