How to Teach Skip Counting
Skip counting is an important math skill that allows students to develop strong number sense. It also lays the foundation for understanding multiplication. Skip counting is not just limited to counting by 2s, 3s, 5s, and 10s. When students truly understand skip counting, they are able to recognize any number pattern. If you’re looking for tips and activities on how to teach skip counting, keep reading!
How to Introduce Skip Counting
When teaching skip counting as a new skill, begin with skip counting by 10’s. Students are already familiar with counting by 1’s, so, in my opinion, counting by 10’s is the easiest transition to skip counting. Once students have an understanding of counting by 10’s, you can move on to skip counting by 5’s. Be sure to spend time pointing out the pattern of 5 and 0 that you see in the one’s place when counting by 5’s. 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30….
After students have mastered skip counting by 10’s and 5’s you can move on to skip counting by 100’s to complete the 2nd grade standard: 2.NBT.2: Count within 1000; skip-count by 5s, 10s, and 100s.
Skip Counting from Any Number
It’s important students understand skip counting can be done using traditional patterns (0, 5, 10 15, 20) and not so traditional patterns ( 22, 27, 32, 37). When I was a child I remember learning how to count by 3’s using a song that went to the tune of This Land Is Your Land. With this cute song I could go from 3 to 36 with no problem. While this strategy was effective, it wouldn’t help me much if I had to begin skip counting from a random number like 55.
This is where teaching students to recognize number patterns comes into play. We want our students to have a deep understanding of what they are learning and not just repeat something they’ve memorized. Get students in the habit of making note of the patterns they see as they skip count.
Show a number pattern such as 22, 27, 32, 37 and circle the numbers that repeat in the one’s place, in this case 2 and 7. Point out that even though you may not have began counting from the typical 5, 10, 15 pattern, there is still a pattern. Eventually, you’ll find students can’t wait to show you the number patterns they’ve recognized!
Skip Counting Activities
Skip counting activities can get repetitive (no pun intended, ha) and boring-but they don’t have to be! I like to offer multiple types of activities as students learn and practice number patterns.
Skip Counting Task Cards
Skip counting task cards are a great way to give students multiple opportunities to practice identifying number patterns. I love using these activities after students have worked with skip counting for a couple days. Task cards in general are a great way to get students moving and provide a change of pace from seat work.
You may also want to try clip cards to change things up during math time. With clip cards, students still cycle through the task cards, but use clothes pins to “clip” the correct answers. Clip cards are great activity for a small group of students to use such as in math centers.
This set of skip counting clip cards comes with a sheet for students to record their answers so you’re able to check them when they are complete.
Skip Counting Puzzles
Skip counting puzzles are another fun way to help your 2nd graders practice number patterns. They are self checking, because just like an ordinary puzzle, it’s easy for students to see when they have a piece (and in this case, number) in the wrong place.
To use these puzzles, print, cut out and have students determine the number patterns to put them in the correct order. The black and white version can be glued onto a piece of construction paper and colored by students. The colored options can be laminated and reused for math centers. There’s also an editable option included of each puzzle so that you’re able to create your own skip counting pattern!
Skip Counting Games
When you want to add a bit more engagement to your math time or change up your math stations, math games are always a great idea. It’s a teacher win when your students are having fun and they are learning! You can make very quick, impromptu games to practice skip counting or use printable games like the ones pictured below.
Skip Counting Using a Hundred’s Chart
A hundred’s chart is a simple way to help students visualize number patterns when skip counting. Using a completed hundred’s chart, have students color in or highlight whichever set of numbers you’re working on. They’ll begin to see patterns in the numbers they’ve highlighted.
You can also have students fill in the hundreds charts with the missing numbers. Give students a hundreds chart with all the multiples of 5 missing and have students count by 5’s to complete it.
Skip Counting Posters
Having skip counting posters up in your classroom will give students a point of reference when they need it as they learn multiples. I like to hang the numbers up as we learn them rather than all at once. This helps students not to get overwhelmed.
I hope you’ve been able to find some ideas and activities to use with your students when teaching skip counting.
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