Counters are a great resource that can be used in mathematics. There are number of ways to utilize them including showing patterns, modeling thinking or keeping track of moves. Support your children’s use of counters with the activities.
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COOKIE DECORATIONS
Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level
Andrew decorated 20 cookies to take to a party.
He lined them up and put icing on every second cookie.
Then he put a cherry on every third cookie.
Then he put a chocolate button on every fourth cookie.
So, there was nothing on the first cookie.
How many other cookies had no decoration? Did any cookies get all three decorations?
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MAKING SHAPES
Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level
If you have three counters, you can arrange them on a grid to make a rectangle like this:
Are any other rectangles you could make with just three counters?
If you had six counters, you could make a rectangle like this:
Are there any other rectangles that you could make with six counters?
Imagine you have 18 counters to put on a grid.
Arrange any number of counters on the grid to make a rectangle (not just its outline).
How many different rectangles can you make with each number of counters?
