Although the National Curriculum and State Mathematics Syllabus content does not continue the emphasis on counting into Stage 2 and 3, counting is a vital skill for all students. Counting helps you internalise the number system. It helps you form visual images of how the number system operates. it helps prepare you mentally for adding and subtracting, multiplying and dividing.
Here at Maths Matters Resources we provide a wide range of counting resources that continue into Stage 2 and 3. For example, this Counting Tigers 3s POSTER for your Stage 2 students will help students think in multiples of 3. Start by memorising just a few multiples e.g. 3, 6, 9, 12. As this becomes automatic, introduce a few more multiples e.g. 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21. Eventually your students will memorise all multiples up to 27 tigers altogether. Try starting at 27 and counting backwards by 3s.
Record the multiples in counting order. Who can see a pattern in these numbers? How might this pattern help you memorise the counting sequence? For example, add the digits in the multiples 3, 6, 9, 12 becomes 1+2 = 3, 15 becomes 1 + 5 = 6, 18 becomes 1 + 8 = 9. Does this pattern continue for ever? How will you find out?