Parent guide · Kindergarten Math · Unit 7

Lesson 7.4 Counting by Twos and Fives

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 by twos to 20. Count by fives to 50.
You need: The hundred chart (printables pack)
A few real coins
Pencil and crayons
Print: Worksheet A · Worksheet B · the lesson page (it also has a short video (2:55))

Steps

Warm-up
Do this: Ask these out loud. Your child answers out loud; no paper needed.
- Ask: “What number is ten less than 42?” Listen for: 32
- Ask: “What number is ten less than 32?” Listen for: 22
- Ask: “What number is ten more than 25?” Listen for: 35
- Ask: “What number is ten more than 54?” Listen for: 64
- Ask: “What number is ten less than 20?” Listen for: 10
Teach the new idea
Say this: “Counting by twos is how we count pairs: socks, shoes, eyes. Whisper one number, say the next one loud.”
Say this: “Counting by fives uses the numbers that end in 5 or 0. One hand has 5 fingers, two hands have 10.”
Say this: “Count by twos: say every second number: 2, 4, 6 ….”
Say this: “Count by fives: say every fifth number: 5, 10, 15 ….”
Show how
Show: Fill in the missing number: 17, 22, 27, ___, 37
Say this: “The numbers go up by 5 each time.”
Say this: “27 + 5 = 32”
Answer: 32
Show: Fill in the missing number: 100, 90, 80, 70, ___
Say this: “The numbers go down by 10 each time.”
Say this: “70 − 10 = 60”
Answer: 60
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: 1, ___, 5, 7, 9
Listen for: 3
If stuck: The numbers go up by 2 each time.
Ask: Fill in the missing number: 6, 8, ___, 12, 14
Listen for: 10
If stuck: The numbers go up by 2 each time.
Ask: Fill in the missing number: 2, 4, 6, ___, 10
Listen for: 8
If stuck: The numbers go up by 2 each time.
7 more practice items on the lesson page, and on Worksheet A and Worksheet B.
Watch for
- Skipping two numbers instead of one when counting by twos.
Game: Hundred-Chart Hop
Cover a number on the hundred chart with a coin. Your child names the hidden number and the numbers above, below, before and after it.
Narration
Say this: “Tell me what you learned today. Show me with your hands or the counters if you like.”
Listen for: Count by twos to 20.; Count by fives to 50.
Daily habit
Count to 100 by tens and by ones (a little further each week). Count by twos to 20 and by fives to 50.

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.