The purpose of this activity is for students to count their collection in a way that makes sense to them and to share how they counted with a partner. Showing and explaining how many objects are in the collection and how they counted will be useful when students represent their count in the next lesson. 

Most students should be given collections with 6–10 objects. Based on formative assessment data collected in previous sections, adjust the number of objects in collections for individual students. 

Students are provided with counting mats and 5-frames to help them accurately count or organize their collections. Students use appropriate tools strategically as they choose which tools help them count their collections (MP5). Additional collections can be provided to allow students to choose a new collection to count.

• Invite previously identified students to share how they counted their collection. 
• “How did the 5-frame (or counting mat) help you count your collection of objects?”
• After each student shares, write or display the number counted and say, “There are _____ objects in their collection.”

The purpose of this optional activity is for students to use a counting mat as a tool to help them keep track of which objects have been counted. This activity will help students who are not counting all objects or are counting some objects more than one time. Use formative assessment data from previous sections and observation during the first activity of this lesson to identify those students.

This activity also serves as further formative assessment on students’ counting concepts, including one-to-one matching and understanding that the last number tells us “how many.” This activity can be used with a small group or the whole class. Students who do not need this optional activity may benefit from additional time working in centers.

• Invite previously identified students to share how they counted.
• Display a collection of 6 objects on one side of a counting mat. Demonstrate counting and moving 4 of the objects to the other side of the counting mat.
• “Which objects do I still need to count? Which objects did I already count? How do you know?” 

The purpose of this activity is for students to choose from activities that focus on using math tools or picture books. Students choose from any of the previously introduced stages of these centers:

• Connecting Cubes
• Pattern Blocks
• Geoblocks
• Picture Books

• “Tell us about a time when something was challenging for you during centers. What did you do?”