3 Counting activities and strategies for RTI math intervention

Counting Collections is one of the most powerful counting activities I’ve done in my classroom to support my CGI instruction.  The rewards are great and are quick and easy to see.  It’s hands on and engaging. Plus, counting collections is the perfect set up for pulling counting math intervention small groups.

It’s the same concept as reading groups and literacy centers. After a few weeks, when kids understand the routines, then I can start intervention.  This is how it works.

Planning Small Group Math Intervention Activities

During Counting Collections, my kids are counting independently for 20-30 minutes.  That gives me time for either one big math intervention group (which I use more at the beginning of the year) or two shorter math intervention times (more after Christmas).  

When I just have one group, I pull my “pink group” back with me and we count together.  If you have my Counting Collections packet, you know my pink counters are my babies struggling to count to 20 and notate their thinking (write numbers and equations).  We basically go through the counting collections routine altogether so I can hear each of them count and watch them write their numbers.  

Let’s talk about what kinds of specific counting activities I use for RTI math intervention groups!

Using Number Lines or Hundreds Charts

One thing that works great is making these low babies count by placing the item on a number line or numbers chart.  I make them pull one at a time, count and place the counter on their chart all at the same time.  Then, when we finish we go back and count orally together.  

Then they record a picture of their set on their recording sheet and label each item so they get additional practice writing numbers correctly.  Here’s what it looks like counting on a chart…

For whatever reason, most of my 0-20 counting collection tubs are bigger items.  I guess maybe because smaller things come in larger quantities??  Anyways, I found the larger sets very difficult when doing intervention groups because….

(1) They seem to come in a variety of colors.  And while that’s pretty and all, it gets those strugglers off track and distracted by the levels of the prettiness.  They start sorting by color, or trying to count certain colors first….it’s honestly just a time waster when I’m trying to do intervention! 😉

And (2) The kids couldn’t see the numbers on the hundreds chart as we put them on anyways.  So yeah….covering up numbers for babies who struggling rote counting….ummmmm, not a good idea!

So, when I do math intervention in my classroom for Counting Collections, we use small collections: beans or cheerios work great.  And then they think they are super special because they get to count something nobody else gets to count!

And the beans or cheerios are all one color so the focus is counting and not sorting or pretty colors. Plus, look how much easier it is to see the numbers as I count!

counting activities at home

Another thing I do during one-on-one private tutoring for kiddos is make a list of things I can count at home.  This is great way to get kids excited about counting activities at home and makes a “boring” skill a little more engaging for homework!  Plus, the parents love it because it’s something fresh and new.  I think I’m going to try sending this home with all my firsties this year….brainstorm a list together, have my students write their list of things to count at home and then send it home for parents to use for at home counting activities and practice.  

Here’s the form I made to send home this year.  For those of you who already have my Counting Collections packet, I’ve added it to the packet.  Grab my counting collections packet if you don’t already have it!

Great boy items I’ve come up with during tutoring: legos, blocks, rocks, hot wheels, goldfish snacks…

Girl items that work great: stickers, crayons, snacks, and depending on how much they have: dolls/barbies, doll clothes, makeup…the possibilities are endless.  And when the kids come up with them on their own, they are more excited about counting at home!

Math Notation Practice

Later in the year, when I am able to meet with two shorter groups, I start with my lowest kiddos and go through the routine with them, get them started and then move them to an area close by my small group table to work where I can monitor them.  Then, I pull back some of my kiddos who are counting great, but need help with notating their counting and work with them.  

Here’s an example of partners working on a grade level set of numbers for the end of the year, but not using notation.  My colored highlighter marks are how we worked on notation together in small groups…and then used it for share time!

This is the perfect opportunity to focus in on those on grade level or above kids and still move them as well.  I’m a big believer in this.  Small groups are not only for the lowest, but for all.  My job as a teacher is to meet kids where they are and help them grow.  Teach them ALL….including the lowest of the lows and the highest of the highs.  Okay, stepping off soapbox now!

Find the counting activities and recording sheets in this best selling counting collections resource.