Count Around the Circle

Kindergarten Mathematics

Routines: Count Around the Circle

Standards of Mathematical Practice (SMP) #2, #3, #7

Standards: K.CC.A.1, K.CC.A.2, 1.NBT.1, 1.NBT.5, 2.NBT.2, 2.NBT.8

 

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Count Around the Circle is a routine that involves whole-class participation, with each person saying a number as you count around the circle. Two expectations should be established with this routine: Everyone needs to listen to each person and count in their heads as each person says his/her number (active participation), and be sure to give everyone some think time if they get stuck. Ideas for Counting Around the Circle include counting by ones and tens starting at zero and then starting at other numbers, as well as counting backwards by ones or tens. 

Count Around helps students develop fluency with place value patterns and allows students to become familiar with patterns through counting. As they listen to one another, students should be encouraged to share their thinking if they disagree with a classmate. When students are given the opportunity to observe and notice patterns, you will likely be amazed at what they notice!

 

Some key questions include:

Kindergarten Examples:

  • If we count by ones starting with Zayan and go around the circle, what number do you think Ruby will say?
  • If we count around the circle starting at 1, what number do you think we will stop on?
  • If we count around the circle starting at 10, what number do you think Ayana will say?
  • If we count around the circle starting at 25, what number do you think we will stop on?
  • If we count around the circle three times, what number do you think we will stop on?

 First Grade Examples:

  • If we count by tens starting with Sam and go around the circle, what number do you think Ashley will say?
  • If we count around the circle three times by ones starting at 23, what number do you think we will stop on?
  • If we start at 45 and count backwards by ones, how many times will we need to go around the circle to get to zero?
  • If we count by tens will we go over 100?
  • If we count around the circle this direction (clockwise) and then count around in the opposite direction (counter clockwise) will we finish our count on the same value?

 

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