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Free Printable Subitizing Worksheets for Practice [PDF]

Last Updated on October 9, 2023 by Editorial Team

Children tend to count things individually or on their fingers; it is a basic skill. But, before developing this skill, they tend to count without counting literally. This sense of counting by sight is called subitizing . It prepares the students to guess the value of a given set before finding its exact quantity.

Various manipulatives like dice are used for introducing subitizing to young learners. Children can easily find that any side contains numbers 1 to 6 the moment they see the dots. Another helpful option can be subitizing worksheets, which contain various quick mental exercises. If you are in search of such worksheets, scroll down through this post.

Why learning to subitize is important?

Here is what researchers tell about the importance of learning to subitize [ 1 ] :

• It offers a crisper understanding of numbers [ 2 ] which counting fails to provide sometimes. While counting, kids get carried away by the burden of recognizing and sounding out the number correctly, losing the very perspective of number sense. So, while subitizing provides intelligence, counting is the form of expressing that intelligence.
• The process of subitizing develops comfort with small values at the start [ 3 ] , preparing them for bigger calculations they are likely to come across at higher levels.
• Subitizing helps scaffold the learning curve [ 4 ] in children who are not too comfortable with numbers or are unable to understand number relationships.

Interestingly, subitizing is not restricted to guessing the number in a given set only. The learners can use their subitization skills to develop number bonds understanding, number decomposition, pattern identification, and other math reasoning activities. Hence, while counting prepares you to learn numeric calculation, subitizing prepares you to do numbers-based reasoning.

Types of subitizing worksheets

The basic aim of giving worksheets is to acquaint the kids with various types of subitizing-based math problems. Kids can have an engaging mix of problems to solve using worksheets, which can be of various types, such as:

• Identify the number of objects in a set
• Sorting and arranging problems-based worksheets
• Worksheets on pattern recognition-based problems
• Subitizing to number 5, number 10
• Place value subitization
• Decompose or compose numbers worksheets
• Create object set worksheets based on hints

Are you looking for some interesting worksheets that cover the above points? Here are some free printable subitizing worksheets with a PDF version that you can use for improving the ‘count by sight’ ability in kids and help them do estimation-based problems with ease.

Wrapping up,

Include subitizing worksheets in the teaching methods when you want to groom the child’s number sense and math reasoning skills. These worksheets provide the requisite learning support needed to achieve quantitative intelligence and reasoning. With the help of regular practice and quick number talk sessions, the students can derive the best benefits from these practice materials. Children can also use them as a tool for competition, attaining fluency in the process by solving them in a paced manner.

References:

• Clements, Douglas. (1999). Subitizing: What Is It? Why Teach It?. Teaching Children Mathematics. 5. 400-405. 10.5951/TCM.5.7.0400.
• Subitizing: The neglected quantifier, Chapter 2, Douglas H. Clements, Julie Sarama, and Beth L. MacDonald
• The Estimation of Set Size by Potentially Gifted Kindergarten-Age Children, Arthur J. Baroody and Mary R. GatzkeJournal for Research in Mathematics Education
• Learning Trajectories in Early Mathematics – Sequences of Acquisition and Teaching, DOUGLAS H. CLEMENTS, Ph.D., JULIE SARAMA, Ph.D. Graduate School of Education, University at Buffalo, USA

An engineer, Maths expert, Online Tutor and animal rights activist. In more than 5+ years of my online teaching experience, I closely worked with many students struggling with dyscalculia and dyslexia. With the years passing, I learned that not much effort being put into the awareness of this learning disorder. Students with dyscalculia often misunderstood for having  just a simple math fear. This is still an underresearched and understudied subject. I am also the founder of  Smartynote -‘The notepad app for dyslexia’, 

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December 14, 2019

What teachers need to know about subitizing {+ a freebie}.

Subitizing is a big word for such a simple concept. Funny how that happens! Much like reading, students need a solid foundation in number fluency. Subitizing activities are a great way to help students do just that! As a result of not learning how to subitize, students might have difficulty with spatial reasoning, understanding addition and subtraction, and number sense. 

For that reason, it’s important to make some room throughout the week for students to practice subitizing. It can be short and simple, but the result of it will be powerful. Let’s dig into subitizing, why it’s important, and how you can practice in the classroom.

What is subitizing?

Subitizing simply means the ability to recognize a group of objects instantly (without counting each object). Think of rolling a die. You know how many dots there are without sitting and counting each one. When you see a dot in each corner and one in the middle, you automatically know it’s five. That is subitizing. Other common things we subitize are dominoes, tally marks, and ten frames. 

Why is subitizing important? 

Learning how to instantly recognize numbers provides a solid foundation for number fluency. According to NCTM , subitizing ultimately leads to counting on, addition, subtraction, and number sense.  First students learn perceptual subitizing – quickly recognizing the small groups of objects. Then, students move towards conceptual subitizing – quickly finding patterns and use them to find totals. 

For our primary students, subitizing practice helps them recognize numbers, tally marks, objects in ten frames, and numbers on dice. This helps them learn about composing and decomposing sets, which then leads to addition and subtraction. 

Simple Subitizing Activities

Animal run subitizing freebie.

This FREE downloadable game is a great way to make subitizing fun. It’s played similarly to War. It includes numbers one through ten with a festive reindeer theme. The cards have numbers, traditional dot dice formation, and random dot patterns. Just download, print,and laminate, and you’ll be totally set. Grab your FREEBIE below!

Counter Dump

First, have students put ten red and yellow counters in a cup. Next, shake them up and dump them out. See how quickly they can count the reds and the yellows. Finally, have them write down the number in numerical form, tally marks, or in a ten frame – whichever way you want them to practice. 

Videos and Songs

There so many subitizing videos and songs to check out. These are great to play during calendar time, as a math warm-up, or when you have a few extra minutes you want to fill with meaningful practice. 

• Jack Hartman’s Subitize Rock  
• Harry Kindergarten’s The Subitize Song
• Harry Kindergarten’s Subitize with a Pirate
• Subitizing: Number Fluency

Remember that practicing subitizing can be done with your students throughout the day in short chunks of time, during morning work , in math stations , or at the end of the day. Make it fun with engaging games and activities. By making a little time to teach this concept, you’ll set your students up for success in math. 

If you’re looking for some more fun, festive, and educational reindeer activities to round out a reindeer unit, check out the activities I have in my store. 

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These math resources are newly updated and packed with activities to help your students master their standards. Each of these resources has a teaching plan, teaching posters, interactive notebook components, independent practice, math station activities, math warm-ups, an assessment, and more!

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FREE Subitizing Cards

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Subitizing Cards {Numbers 1-12}

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These FREE Subitizing Cards are a great way to play with number sense.

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*Grab this freebie by scrolling down and clicking on the teal download button at the bottom of this post.

What is Subitizing?

Subitizing is the ability to look at a small group of objects and instantly see how many are there without counting the objects . For example, when a child can roll a die and tell how many dots there are without counting, they are subitizing.

Subitizing is a foundational number sense skill. Understanding how to subitize helps learners with other math skills like: recognizing patterns, skip counting, counting on, addition, and subtraction. As you see, it’s a great skill to play with, even when learners are young!

Two Kinds of Subitizing

There are two different kinds of subitizing. One kind is developmentally appropriate for younger learners while the other kind is for older learners.

• Perceptual Subitizing – This is the “pure” sense of the word where learners automatically recognize dot patterns for numbers 1-6. Typically, this is appropriate for ages 4 through Kindergarten. Again, think rolling a die and identifying the number rolled.
• Conceptual subitzing – This skill is more complex and is for numbers higher than 6. It is typically appropriate for 1st grade and up or after after a learner has mastered perceptual subitizing. When the dot pattern goes beyond 6, learners must first identify smaller patterns within the larger dot pattern and then quickly combining them together to figure out the number. This is essentially what happens when a learner rolls two or three dice at one time and has to quickly tell the total.

Subitizing Cards

The subitzing cards in this pack include numbers 1-12 and 48 dot patterns for these numbers. This means you can use the cards with preschoolers {numbers 1-6} as well as older learners {using numbers 7-12}. No two dot patterns are the same.

You’ll find the dot patterns that learners are familiar with from a die as well as other ones. All the number cards can be found in color and in blackline.

At first, use the cards to teach subitizing. Explain how you can “see” the number by talking about the patterns you notice.

When teaching the skill, it’s a-okay to go slow at first. Show a card, and let your learners tell you the patterns they notice.

Once learners get the hang of it, quickly show a card then remove it from sight. Ask your learners to tell you how many dots they saw.

You can also use the cards to match them up in a pocket chart or on a table top/carpet area. You can even play a memory matching game with them like you see in the images above. Start slow, and then add some speed to the matching games. Just have fun!

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Enjoy teaching subitizing! ~Becky

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What Is Subitizing in Math? (Plus, Fun Ways To Teach and Practice It)

Save time when you subitize.

Most early math skills are familiar ones we all remember mastering ourselves, like skip counting, addition and subtraction, or greater-than and less-than. But others are skills we picked up along the way, without even knowing there’s a name for it. Subitizing is one of those skills, and the term confuses parents and new teachers alike. Here’s what it means to subitize, and why it matters.

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What is subitizing?

When you subitize, you quickly recognize the number of items without needing to take the time to count. The term (which is pronounced both “SUB-ah-tize” and “SOOB-ah-tize”) was coined in 1949 by E.L. Kaufman. It’s often used with smaller numbers (up to 10) but can work for larger ones too with repeated practice.

For smaller numbers, especially those in patterns, we use perceptual subitizing. Think of the numbers on traditional dice, for instance. For larger numbers, our brain breaks things into recognizable patterns, making it easier to find the total more quickly. This is called conceptual subitizing. (Tally marks are a way to subitize conceptually.)

As with any other key math skill, the best way to learn it is to practice, practice, practice.

Tips and Ideas for Practicing Subitizing

There are lots of terrific hands-on ways to bring subitizing to life for your students. Here are a few tips before you get started:

• Use “say the number” instead of “count”: When you’re asking kids to subitize, avoid using the word “count,” since it’s misleading. For instance, instead of “Count the number of dots you see on the card,” try “Say the number of dots you see on the card.” It’s simple, but language matters.
• Start small: Focus on small amounts first, like one, two, and three. Then add in larger numbers. When you shift to larger numbers, encourage students to break them into smaller groups and quickly add them.
• Use a variety of symbols and options: Dots are great, but also use other symbols, images, and even objects. The more practice, the better.

These activities include many different ideas for tackling this skill. Choose a few to try with your class!

Start with fingers

When someone holds up a few fingers, you don’t need to count them to know how many you see. That’s a great place to start with kids. You can do any number from 1 to 10.

Learn more: Finger Subitizing at Rhody Girl Resources

Flash subitizing images

Print these cards or use them digitally. The key is to display them for only a few seconds, forcing students to work quickly to find the right answers.

Learn more: Primary Delight Teaching

Roll the dice

Any time kids use traditional dice, they’re automatically getting practice subitizing. Games that require speed in recognizing numbers are especially valuable, since students benefit by subitizing as quickly as possible. Find our roundup of the best dice games for kids here.

Swat sticky notes

You can print these sticky notes yourself at the link below. Then arm kids with a flyswatter and call out a number for them to whap as quick as they can!

Learn more: Subitizing Swat at The First Grade Parade

Try a Rekenrek

The name of this awesome Dutch math tool means “counting rack.” It helps kids visualize and subitize (break down) numerical amounts into components of ones, fives, and tens using its rows and bead colors. You can make your own with pipe cleaners and beads, or buy sturdy wooden Rekenrek models on Amazon .

Learn more: Recipe for Teaching

Use 10-frames

Ten-frames are an incredibly popular way to practice subitizing. We love this version of the classic card game War using prefilled cards ( get it from First Grade Garden ). Check out our roundup of all the best 10-frame activities here .

Grab some dominoes

Dominoes are another terrific tool when tackling this skill. The patterns are the same as traditional dice, but they also allow for comparing, adding, multiplying, and more.

Learn more: Lessons 4 Little Ones

Bring out the LEGO

Kids are going to love hearing this: Playing with LEGO can help you learn to subitize! The even arrangements of rows make it easy to glance at a brick and recognize the number of dots it has. See all our favorite LEGO math ideas here.

Fill up some grab bags

Load bags with small toys or mini erasers. Kids grab a handful and drop them on the desk, then try to assess how many items are there without counting them one by one. For additional practice, have them add or subtract their draws from several bags.

Learn more: Susan Jones Teaching

Knock down subitizing bowling pins

Take an inexpensive toy bowling set (or make your own with plastic bottles) and add sticky dots arranged in patterns. Students roll the ball and then have to quickly subitize to determine how many dots are on each pin they knocked down. If they get it right, they get the points!

Learn more: Subitizing Bowling at The First Grade Parade

Get five in a row

Use these free printables to work on subitizing with irregular patterns. Students can roll dice, or you can call out numbers for them to find. First to get five in a row wins!

Learn more: A Blog From the Pond

Subitize and exercise

Draw a card, then either subitize the items or exercise! These are fun for brain breaks or active math activities.

Learn more: Subitize and Exercise at Rhody Girl Resources

Play subitizing bingo

Bingo always makes things more fun. Call the out the numbers rapid-fire so kids have to think quickly if they want to win.

Learn more: The Moffatt Girls

Build a subitizing tray

Hit the dollar store to create your own inexpensive tray kids can use for practice. Students roll dice, then find the compartment with the matching number of dots. They cover the dots with chips, then move on. The game ends when all the compartments are full.

Learn more: Subitizing Tray at The First Grade Parade

Subitize with a pirate

No counting on this ship! Instead, kids get a few seconds to subitize the images one-by-one. The answers pop up quickly, so students have to act fast.

Sing a subitizing song

This song helps kids remember what it means to subitize, then gives them some practice.

What are your favorite ways to teach subitizing? Come share your ideas and ask for advice in the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

Plus, 30 smart place value activities for elementary math students ..

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Subitizing Games with FREE Printable Subitizing Cards

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How to Get Started Subitizing

Your job as a teacher is to set up lots of opportunities for children to learn this skill, but you can not really ‘teach’ it to them. First, start these games with numbers 1-5.  Then as your child is able to quickly subitize these numbers, you can add in 6-10.

If your child is at the very beginning of developing math skills, I would set out the dot cards and then have some type of manipulative that your child can count and set a matching number of manipulatives next to each dot card. Then, you can model adding the numeral cards to each one.  (Manipulatives can be tiles, pieces of candy, beads or anything else you have in large quantity!)

Once your child is is comfortable with this activity, you can play the games below, increasing complexity as they are ready by adding in other visual representations of the numbers.

The Subitizing Games

Which One Doesn’t Belong: Set out 3-5 cards where all the cards, but one, represent the same number and then ask your child to find the one that doesn’t belong.

War: Deal out all the cards evenly to each player and then each player sets down their top card face up. The person with the highest card gets to keep all the cards played on that turn and play continues. When players run out of cards, the game can end by the person with the most cards winning or the players can flip their stack of cards over and start again playing until someone has taken all of the cards.

Memory: Start this game with just two representations of the cards to match to each other. Once your children are good at this, add in two more representations and then they have more opportunities for correct matches. For example, the numeral 4 could match the dot pattern 4, the abacus pattern 4 or the 4 fingers. If your children struggle with remembering where cards are, you can place the cards into two separate columns or sets of columns (see picture below) where they pick one card from one side and then know there will be a match for it on the other side. This reduces the amount of cards they need to remember by half. So for example, say you were going to play with 20 cards with two representations of numbers, you would place all of the finger patterns in the left column(s) and all of the numerals in the right column(s).

Go Fish: Choose how many cards and which visual representations to include and then play as you would normally play Go Fish. Deal the cards evenly so each player has 5-7 cards and then place the rest in the pond. Players take turns asking for a number and making a match.

Hide and Seek: This is a great game if your child needs to get up and move around. Choose how many cards and which visual representations you want to use. You will not need matches for this game so you can mix it up a bit more. Then, you can play one of two ways. For version one, have the cards face up and visible around the room and ask your child to get a specific number. For the second version, have the cards hidden more and when your child finds one, she brings it to a work area and places each card in order from 1-5 or 1-10, depending on which cards you are working with.

You should remember that playing computer games weakens your immunity and there is a great risk of getting asthma. We also offer you to buy cheap albuterol, which you can read more about on this website.

Listen for the Number:   For this game, have your child lay out the numbers 1-5 or 1-10 in order using whichever visual representation you would like. Then clap out a number of beats and your child has to touch the card that matches what you clapped out. This can be a fun game for each of you  to being the ‘teacher’.

Download the Subitizing Cards

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Savvy Subitizing Cards

6 Visuals of Numbers 1-10

This PDF contains 6 different visual representations of all the numbers 1-10 plus instruction cards for a few games to play with the cards.

What People Are Saying

" Absolutely love these cards! Excellent at promoting and teaching subitizing and fun to use for games while adding a complete twist. "

- Crystal L.

" I love, love, love these subitizing cards. They show so many ways to make a number and are great for playing Memory, Go Fish, Garbage etc. they are so much better than any online version of subitizing cards. Thank you!! "

" I have used these cards with preschoolers, kinders, and first graders. They are awesome for subitizing and games. They should be a staple in every primary classroom! "

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What is subitizing and how to teach it

Are you teaching your students how to subitize? If so, read this article to learn a subitizing strategy and grab the free printable below!

What is subitizing?

Subitizing is knowing how many are in a small set without counting. In kindergarten, students are expected to subitize a small set within six.

When I was a kid, I used to play board games (Monopoly, Trouble, Mouse Trap, anyone?) all the time and learned how to subitize without it being explicitly taught to me. Why? Because most board games included dice! Dice is a great way to get students subitizing! When I rolled a dice and it landed on six, I would see a group of 3 and 3 more and know that’s six. I didn’t point and count all six dots.

Students that know how to subitize become better at math because they learn how to solve math problems by noticing patterns. Here’s an example: a student would start at one and count to figure out the number in a set. A strong math student would notice small sets in larger sets and would add to figure out the number in a set. See the difference?

Luckily, all students can be great math students! They just need the tools and instruction to do so! As primary teachers, it’s our responsibility to teach students these essential skills!

Subitizing Worksheets

Here’s a subitizing worksheet you can use to get you started! I usually model how to subitize and then we’ll do a couple of problems together and then they complete the rest independently. I have used it as a math warm-up.

Model, Model, Model!

I model how I don’t have to count each dot to figure out how many. I see a small set of dots and I count on from that number OR I see two small sets and know how many. An example is two groups of two. I’ll circle two groups of two and remark how I know that 2+2=4 so 2 groups of two is four and I didn’t have to count. Then, I’ll do another problem and ask students to help me solve this one. We also circle the sets so we can really see it. Then, I have students complete this worksheet independently if they are ready. Some students still will need instruction. If that’s the case, I’ll work with them in a small group.

How do you teach subitizing to your students? Let me know in the comments section below.

Click here to download your free printable.

Click here for more subitizing activities and counting to ten.

Happy Teaching!

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Subitizing and Addition Worksheets (Number Sense)

Grab these Subitizing and Addition Worksheets to practice and firm up on your learner’s number sense . These worksheets are perfect for your kindergarteners and first graders as they practice their number sense , using subitizing and addition skills . The worksheets only focus on subitizing and addition up to 9 , so it is suitable for learners who are just beginning to learn subitizing and counting .

These worksheets are simple, no-prep worksheets that will allow your learners to practice their addition and subitizing. Simply download, print and present the pages to your learners.

Subitizing and Addition Worksheets – Number Sense

This printable is FREE . Simply fill in the box at the end of this post with your details and you will receive a freebie with the download. Please check your junk or spam emails if you don’t receive the printable. If you have any issues please feel free to contact me at [email protected] .

Subitizing and Addition Worksheets

Materials for the printable:

• Laminator (if you wish to make the pages re-usable)
• Laminating sheets

Using the printable:

This printable is NO-PREP which makes is so much easier. Just print and you are ready to go! This worksheet only focuses on addition to 9, so it is suitable for learners who are just beginning to learn subitizing and counting.

Each question in the worksheet contains three parts for the learner to complete. Refer below for more detailed instructions.

• Subitize/count the total number of dots in the dice.
• Fill in the pumpkin ten frame with the correct number of dots.
• Write down the addition statement for the total number of dots, based on the yellow and blue dots.

Instructions to complete Subitizing and Addition Worksheets

The printable worksheets includes three parts for the learner to complete. The learner will first need to identify the total number of dots in the dice by subitizing or counting. If the learner is not familiar with subitizing they can first practice by counting. Then, they will have to fill in the 10 frame that’s just below the dice to indicate the number of dots. This is another form of subitizing that learners will need to learn. Dotting in the pumpkin ten frames practices subitizing, counting and fine motor skills as they dot within the squares.

The final step will be writing down the number sentence. This will be based on the two different colored dots within the dice. The learners can first write the number of yellow dots, followed by the number of blue dots and finally the total number of dots within the dice.

The purpose of these worksheets is to help the learners familiarize themselves with the concept of subitizing as well as addition through subitizing. Starting off with smaller numbers, will help the learners subitize easier before they move on to larger numbers.

If you enjoyed this printable, do check out these free printables!

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August 20, 2020 3-5-operations-and-algebraic-thinking , k-2-operations-and-algebraic-thinking

Subitizing powerpoint activities for in-person or online classrooms, grades 1–4, by: jeff todd.

I've used subitizing PowerPoint slides in my class over the years, at every level. This number sense activity uses multiple representations of numbers to aid math language development for primary students and English language learners. In this article, you'll get my free subitizing PowerPoint download and directions on how to use this activity in your in-person or online classroom.

How to Use the Subitizing PowerPoint Slides

With these subitizing activities students are encouraged to see patterns and to describe them, noticing that other students perceive the same objects differently. But the most important aspect of this activity is for students to connect the numbers represented as dots to equations. After all, we are talking about multiple representations — that is, seeing number as dots, as number words, and composed using operations.

The subitizing activities are very simple. Project the multiple representations of numbers as dots in various arrangements for just a few seconds (exactly how many depends on your students’ ability). Then, after removing the image, ask students to tell you what they saw. For example, a student might respond after seeing four groups of three dots, “I saw four groups of three… that would be twelve.” Students at different grade levels might suggest the equations 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 12 or 3 x 4 = 12.

Show the dot representation briefly

Ask, “What did you see?”

Ask, “Did anyone see it differently?”

Ask, “Can you write a number sentence that shows your thinking?”

One of the most powerful and wonderful things about this activity is that students can come up with a variety of responses! These responses often lead to different multiple representations for numbers (e.g., 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 12 and 4 + 4 + 4 = 12). Seeing that the same number can be decomposed in many ways might really open up students’ minds to thinking differently. This activity engages students in applying Mathematical Practice 1 (Making Sense of Problems) by seeing the relationship between the dots and equations and by seeking to understand the other students’ approaches (Mathematical Practice 3, Critiquing the Reasoning of Others).

This can be a great opening activity for a lesson, particularly when you need to stimulate students’ prior knowledge about number and operations or you simply want to do a factual review. You will notice that some of the slides have particular patterns.

For example, the patterns below can be seen as “triangular” numbers:

Or the following dot representations can be seen as “square” numbers:

Encourage students to look for these patterns in order to help them connect multiple representations of numbers with geometry.

You can download the subitizing PowerPoint to get this activity started in your in-person or online classroom. I have created them at different levels, using only the numbers 5 to 20, using numbers up to 100, and using a set of challenge problems.

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Steve Wyborney's Blog: I'm on a Learning Mission.

Sharing Thoughts About Education

100 Subitizing Slides & 10 Challenge Patterns

With a click, a pattern of dots appears on your screen.  Instantly your students tell how many.  They don’t count the dots.  Instead they simply know the total at a glance.

Subitizing – when a person looks at a small set of objects and instantly detects the total without counting.  It’s a powerful process and a truly remarkable one.

I have a new resource for you.  100 Subitizing Slides & 10 Challenge Patterns.

There are 10 sets, and each set includes 10 subitizing slides and 1 challenge pattern.  In between each slide, I’ve placed a blank slide.  As you click through the slides the effect will be that the slides are appearing and disappearing – at the rate that you choose.  The blank slide will also allow you to toggle back and forth to an image or simply move forward to the next image.

Then, after 10 quick subitizing experiences, you’ll see one challenge image which will be duplicated several times on the screen.

Download the sets, try them out in your classroom, and let me know how it goes!

Downloadable PowerPoint Slide Sets

Subitzing Set 1 – and Challenge Image #1

Subitizing Set 2 -and Challenge Image #2

Subitizing Set 3 – and Challenge Image #3

Subitizing Set 4 – and Challenge Image #4

Subitizing Set 5 – and Challenge Image #5

Subitizing Set 6 – and Challenge Image #6

Subitizing Set 7 – and Challenge Image #7

Subitizing Set 8 – and Challenge Image #8

Subitizing Set 9 – and Challenge Image #9

Subitizing Set 10 – and Challenge Image #10

If you want a tool to create your own challenge patterns, take a look at How to Create 9 Identical Dot Patterns in 10 Seconds or Less .

After reading this blog post, take a look at  THE 12 MOST POPULAR MATH STRATEGIES AND DOWNLOADS ON THIS BLOG .

All my best,

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About Steve Wyborney

44 comments.

How would you recommend using the subitizing slides on Zoom when the students can’t all be unmuted to say the number otherwise there’s a terrible echo.

Hi, Hannah. Great question. The students can still all subitize when they see the image. Of course, after that, they won’t all be able to tell you the number aloud due to the microphones. I know there are a lot of other strategies including jotting down the number or showing it to you in another way. Another option would be to use fewer of the subitizing slides (perhaps 10 instead of 5) before moving into the challenge pattern where you would spend more time.

First of all THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!! Your slides are so amazing! I teach grade 5 and stumbled across your site this year, and was so happy. I started with Esti-mysteries and my class loves it.

My question is….. With all of your resources, do you suggest a schedule at all? As in, which things to start with? Is there any scaffolding at all? Or do they all go hand in hand.

Thank you so much. I am just trying to make some schedule to follow. I started with Mystery Monday… with esti mysteries. I would like to work in the multiplication course as well, my students are quite low, and even though are in grade 5, they can really benefit from it.

Hi, Kristen. You are certainly welcome, and I appreciate your kind words. I recommend establishing a routine that works for you. For example, your Mystery Monday sounds like a great routine. I know that some are doing some on Wednesdays or Fridays. You could also blend the approaches and have a Mystery Monday and a Clipboard on Wednesday and a Splat on Friday or something like that. Really, the resources are available to use in whatever way work best for you so feel free to try some different approaches. In general, the estimation clipboards are a little shorter – in terms of how long they take – than the Esti-Mysteries so if you have a day with more limited time then I would recommend a clipboard on those days. As far as the scaffolding I’ve tried to build that in to all the resources so you’ll have that available. Simply present the resources on the days that work best for you, ask rich questions, and let your students amaze you with their ideas.

Thank you so much! Your resources are amazing!! And I’m so glad to find your website!!

I’m so happy you found it, and I’m grateful for this message!

This resource is excellent for remote learning in Kindergarten! Merci! Thanks so much for sharing.

So generous to share…thanks

My pleasure, Penny!

Wow! You are great!!! Thank you for the free slides. The resources are very fun for my Kinder students. THANK YOU!!!!

Thank you so much for your amazing ideas and creativity to make maths meaningful, engaging, challenging and fun for my students. My students have loved SPLAT and esti mystery. I now have younger ones this year so subitizing will also be a wonderful resource.

My pleasure, Jillian! I really appreciate the comment!

Thank you for all the wonderful work you share! I really appreciate it and look forward to seeing your posts.

Steve I just wanted to say that I think you’re an amazing person. I’ve followed you for several years and the things you have done to enrich teachers understanding of how math should be taught is inspirational. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do.

Steve, Thank you for sharing this amazing math talk. I am teaching Kindergarten and now it’s Distance Learning. I am going to integrate your number pattern subitizing with my students via Zoom. It will be a meaningful math discussion for remote learning.

Hi Steve, Thank you so much for this usable material. I really appreciate it. As a kindergarten teacher, this is great. An interactive lesson, discussion and involved children. What more could one ask for? Thanks

My pleasure, Stephen. I’ll keep them coming!

these are amazing! I’m excited to use them! Thank you for sharing

This is an amazing site! Thank you for sharing these wonderful resources. Subitizing is an essential skill for our students. These slides will make it fun for my students and simple for me!

Thank you these are awesome

Excellent goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you are just too wonderful. I really like what you have acquired here, certainly like what you are saying and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it wise. I can’t wait to read far more from you. This is actually a terrific website.

I can’t wait to share these with my primary teachers. Thanks for making them available!

I figured it out! Thank you SO MUCH for sharing your resources! My students love Splat! The subitizing slides are going to make my life so much easier. I truly appreciate these resources.

Steve Thank you. The links are working now

The links are working! Thanks Steve

The best part about these is that the kids love them! They are engaged and excited about discussing the math contained on them!! Thank you so much!!

What another amazing resource! Thank you so much for sharing! I shared with all K-2 teachers at my school!

Thanks, Roslyn!

Thank you so much ! Your resources are Amazing

I was able to download all ten sets! Thank you so much for all you do. It is so generous of you to share all your work! My students and I LOVE the SPLAT!

Steve, the sets are not available for downloading from the email or your webpage. Dan

Hi, Dan. Can you try it now and let me know if the links are live?

Hi Steve. The sets are not linked to a download from this site or the side sites. Thanks

Hi Martha. I just updated the links. Can you see if it will work for you?

I can’t download. Could you please check the link. Thank you

I think it’s working now, but please let me know. Thanks!

Hi Steve, I have used and LOVED your SPLAT slides. Where can I purchase the subitizing slides?

Thanks! Tammy

Hi, Tammy. They are all free. The links should be active now so you can download them. Thanks for the kind words!

Thanks for everything you share! I love your resources. I would love to try out your subsidizing activities, but cannot find a way to download the slides. I don’t see a link in the email or on your blog. Can you advise? Thanks!

Hi, Victoria. Go ahead and try it again. I think the links are all updated now. Thanks!

I’m interested in your subitizing slides, but the links are not active.

Hi, Angela. I believe they are all ready to go now, but would love some feedback on if they are set and working. Thanks!

Hey, your links are working now. Thank you so much!

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Sparkling in Second Grade

A Primary Teaching Blog

September 12, 2023

Subitizing is an important part of learning numbers. Subitizing is when you can identify a set of numbers quickly without counting. A good example of this in our own lives is rolling a dice for a game, it’s very likely you can identify what you land on within a second and you didn’t have to count the dots.

This fluidity with number recognition is a building block to adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing. This work is usually done in kindergarten and built up to 20 in first grade. Kindergarteners are subitizing within 5, while first and second grades will be subitizing within 20.

Let’s jump into some activities we can do for subitizing…

Here is a playlist of subitizing videos I have saved on YouTube.

Domino Sort

This activity is a combination of subitizing, number recognition, and addition. I put out a tray labeled with numbers 1-12 ( find some chip trays here-Amazon aff link ). Then I throw a bunch of dominoes out in the middle and let them sort the dominoes into the tray. I’ll randomly question a student with a domino (“How many are on this side? What about the other? How many is that all together?”). The students are adding and don’t even realize it! I give my students a 120 chart if they cannot match the numbers just yet. We use the 120’s chart to count and see what the digit looks like if needed. Find domino sets here-Amazon aff link.

Subitizing Cards

This is activity covers most of the same work that the domino sort does. It can be played as “Memory”, “Go Fish”, or simply matching. Students need to match the number cards to the word cards, finger cards, and subitizing cards. These cards will help reinforce student fluency with number recognition and internalize it for the basis of addition. I can’t find the originals, but https://sparklinginsecondgrade.com/cooking-together-date/ !

Building on Subitizing to Add

Once students are able to subitize, let’s start working on https://sparklinginsecondgrade.com/dryer-hookup-kit/ ! We love these games to help us develop our 5-10 fact fluency. Students use manipulatives to help them make fact families using number bonds! We have a lot of fun with these and it’s a great way to use our subitizing skills. A video is linked below to watch, or grab them in my shop here!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jen | Sparkling in Second (@sparklinginsecondgrade)

Subitizing Dice

These subitizing dice (affiliate link) are a great addition to small groups. They are color coordinated for differentiation (0-5, 5-10, 15-20). Pull out what you need and use it as a quick practice piece during small group time.

If you need more adding, subtracting, and multiplying facts activities, head over to my math facts blog post!

[…] For more on SUBITIZING…head to this blog post! […]

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