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Using a number line to teach math concepts is a simple and interactive way to help children gain concrete practice and increase number sense.
They give kids a “cheat sheet” as they are learning how numbers relate to each other and forming a mental picture of those relationships in their minds. They are able to feel successful more quickly when practicing math concepts. Which helps stop frustration and allows them to gain confidence in their math skills.
Check out some of these posts for more fun and hands-on ways to learn math concepts:
Birds of Paradise Picture Sudoku Puzzles
Math Games for Kinesthetic Learners
6 Ways to Teach with a Number Line
#1 Number Recognition
Using a number line for number recognition helps to increase number sense while learning those numbers. Instead of just learning to recognize each number they are also visually seeing how each number relates to the others around it. Read more about how young children learn math skills in my post on Counting & Cardinality.
I created an interactive number line, featuring numbers 1-30, specifically for use with learning number recognition, although it’s great for older kids dealing with more complex math concepts. It combines a traditional number line model with boxes at the top of it so your child can match cut out number pieces to each number on the line.
#2 Skip Counting
Number lines make skip counting easy for children. The logical and linear view of numbers makes it easy to see the patterns in skip counting. Try adding in the numbers on the interactive line as you skip count by 2’s, 5’s, and 10’s. Make sure to try non-traditional skip counting by numbers like 3 and 7. Even if your child can’t do the skip counting in their head they will be able to place the numbers on the number line.
#3 Counting On
Practicing the skill of counting on is a great way to increase number sense. To master this skill a child has to know where numbers are in relation to each other. And a number line is a great concrete way to begin learning this skill. Start by having your child find a number on the line and putting their finger on it. Then ask them to count on from there. This doesn’t require them to do all the work in their head if they’re not ready for that. They can use the number line to practice this and gain number sense.
#4 One More, One Less
Try an activity that introduces or reinforces simple addition and subtraction with a number line. Have your child find a number on the number line or pick one themselves. Next, ask them to find one more or one less than that number. They will be adding and subtracting while making connections between numbers on the number line. As they get good at this, try having them find two more or two less. Work up to even bigger numbers as they progress.
#5 How Close, How Far?
Another fun activity that creates connections between numbers is asking how close and how far.
This activity is a little advanced, so if your child is still working on number recognition it may be something you try later on. A great way to add this activity, even if your child isn’t ready to try it independently, is to model it for them. Do the activity yourself with them watching and listening.
It works by selecting a number and asking how close or how far that number is from another.
For example, if your child chooses the number 7, ask them how close that is to number 10. They would look at the number line and visually be able to see or count and find that it is 3 numbers away.
Extend this by asking questions like, “Is that closer or further away than number eleven is from ten?”
They would then use the number line to see that 10 and 11 are right next to each other and would come to the conclusion that that 7 is further away from 10 then 11 is.
#6 Find the Correct Order
This is another more advanced activity to try when your child is ready.
To do this one, choose two numbers spaced a bit apart, like 17 and 25. If using the number tiles in my interactive number line you can place your numbers over it as you do this activity.
Next, choose 3 numbers that come between 17 and 25. For example, 19, 21, and 22.
Now, have your child place these numbers in the correct order as they would sit between 17 and 25.
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