Parent guide · Kindergarten Math · Unit 6

Lesson 6.4 Counting to 20 and Back

Written for the parent. Read the Say this lines aloud as they are, or in your own words. Answers for you are marked Listen for.

At a glance

Time: 5 sessions of 15–20 minutes
Goal: Count forward and back within 20. Compare teen numbers.
You need: Craft sticks and rubber bands
Pencil and crayons
Print: Worksheet A · Worksheet B · the lesson page (it also has a short video (3:07))

Steps

Warm-up
Do this: Ask these out loud. Your child answers out loud; no paper needed.
- Ask: “5 + 4” Listen for: 9
- Ask: “3 + 1” Listen for: 4
- Ask: “2 + 5” Listen for: 7
- Ask: “5 + 3” Listen for: 8
- Ask: “0 + 4” Listen for: 4
Teach the new idea
Say this: “Counting back is like walking backwards along the number path.”
Say this: “Comparing teen numbers: both have one ten, so compare the ones.”
Say this: “Count back: say numbers in order going down.”
Show how
Show: Fill in the missing number: 12, 11, 10, 9, ___
Say this: “The numbers go down by 1 each time.”
Say this: “9 − 1 = 8”
Answer: 8
Show: Write <, > or = : 18 ___ 18
Say this: “18 is the same as 18.”
Say this: “18 = 18”
Answer: 18 = 18
Practice together
Do this: Your child does these with you. Let them try first; help only after a real try.
Ask: Fill in the missing number: 0, 1, ___, 3, 4
Listen for: 2
If stuck: The numbers go up by 1 each time.
Ask: Fill in the missing number: 0, 1, 2, 3, ___
Listen for: 4
If stuck: The numbers go up by 1 each time.
Ask: Fill in the missing number: 13, 14, ___, 16, 17
Listen for: 15
If stuck: The numbers go up by 1 each time.
7 more practice items on the lesson page, and on Worksheet A and Worksheet B.
Watch for
- Skipping a number when counting back.
Game: Ten and Some More
Your child builds a teen number with a bundle of 10 sticks and loose sticks, then says “ten and four make fourteen.”
Narration
Say this: “Tell me what you learned today. Show me with your hands or the counters if you like.”
Listen for: Count forward and back within 20.; Compare teen numbers.
Daily habit
Count to 30 aloud, then count back from 20.

Spread over the week

5 sessions of 15–20 minutes. Stop while it is still going well.

Session 1. Warm-up, then teach the new idea (steps 1 and 2).
Session 2. Warm-up again, then show how with the examples.
Session 3. Practice together, then play the game.
Session 4. More practice on the worksheet, and the daily habit.
Session 5. Quick check: narration and a few practice items. Move on when it is mostly right.