Lesson 3

Explore Two-color Counters and 5-frames

Warm-up: Notice and Wonder: Counters and 5-frames (15 minutes)

Narrative

This warm-up prompts students to notice and wonder about four different math tools, two tools they have previously worked with, and two new tools they will explore in this lesson. The structure of the image is the same as what students will see in the Which One Doesn’t Belong routine that they will be introduced to in a future unit. To prepare for that, the synthesis focuses on comparing the different tools. Listen to the language students use to describe and explain to others how they see the different math tools (MP3, MP6).

Launch

  • Groups of 2
  • Display the image.
  • “What do you notice?”
  • 30 seconds: quiet think time

Activity

  • “Tell your partner what you noticed.”
  • 1 minute: partner discussion
  • “Share something that your partner noticed.”
  • Share and record responses.
  • “What do you wonder?”
  • 30 seconds: quiet think time
  • 1 minute: partner discussion
  • “Share something that your partner wondered.”
  • Share and record responses.

Student Facing

What do you notice?
What do you wonder?

Center activity. Blank 5 frame.
Two-color counters, red and yellow.
Center Activity. Connecting cubes.
Center Activity. Pattern blocks.

Student Response

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Activity Synthesis

  • “These tools are called two-color counters.”
  • If needed, ask “How are these math tools the same? How are they different?”

Activity 1: Explore Counters and 5-frames (15 minutes)

Narrative

The purpose of this activity is for students to explore and use two-color counters and 5-frames. Students have an opportunity to explore the tools before they are asked to use them to represent mathematical situations in later lessons. As students work, observe whether students count the two-color counters or use the 5-frames to organize the two-color counters.

5-frames are provided as a blackline master. Students will continue to use these throughout the year. Consider copying them on cardstock or laminating them and keeping them organized to be used repeatedly.

MLR8 Discussion Supports. After students share responses, use multimodal examples to show the meaning of 5 in the 5-frame. Point to each square and count to 5. Invite students to chorally read numbers 1–5 aloud.
Advances: Listening, Representing, Speaking
Engagement: Develop Effort and Persistence. Some students may benefit from feedback that emphasizes effort and time on task. For example, moving counters in the squares of the 5-frame or filling the 5-frame with one counter in each square.
Supports accessibility for: Attention, Social-Emotional Functioning

Required Materials

Materials to Gather

Materials to Copy

  • 5-frame

Launch

  • Groups of 2
  • Give each student a 5-frame.
  • “As you explore the two-color counters, you will also explore a new tool called a 5-frame.”
  • Display the 5-frame.
  • “Why do you think we call this a 5-frame?” (Because it has five spaces or squares in it.)
  • 30 seconds: quiet think time
  • Share responses.
  • Give each group of students a container of two-color counters.
  • “Let’s explore two-color counters and 5-frames.”

Activity

  • 10 minutes: independent work time
  • “Share one thing you did or made with the two-color counters and 5-frames with your partner.”
  • 2 minutes: partner discussion

Student Facing

Let’s explore two-color counters and 5-frames.

Blank 5 frame.

Student Response

For access, consult one of our IM Certified Partners.

Activity Synthesis

  • Ask 3–4 groups of students to share what they did or made with two-color counters and 5-frames.

Lesson Synthesis

Lesson Synthesis

Display the image from the warm-up.

“We’ve learned about tools that can help us do math—connecting cubes, pattern blocks, two-color counters, and 5-frames.”

“Which tools can you use to count? Share with your partner.”

Invite students to share an idea that their partner shared.

“Which tools can you use to make shapes? Share with your partner.”

Invite students to share an idea that their partner shared.

“Let’s practice counting to 10.”

Demonstrate counting to 10. Count to 10 as a class 1–2 times.

Cool-down: Unit 1, Section A Checkpoint (0 minutes)

Cool-Down

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