Foundations of Number Sense

Foundations of Number Sense
“Number sense” is an intuitive understanding of the relative values of numbers and the relationships among numbers. Strong number sense
is built on mastery of place value, as well as automaticity with number facts. And research has shown that number sense is key to success with
higher-level mathematics.
During this hands-on training, every participant will be given the opportunity to learn and practice key strategies for teaching place
value, computation, and mental math in order to establish strong number sense. The resulting in-depth understanding of numbers
will provide a strong foundation on which to build all future math success.
Program Outline
In this 1-day session, designed as an introduction to
key Singapore Math strategies, you’ll begin with a quick
overview of the strengths of the Singapore approach.
Find out why the success of the math students in this tiny
island nation has attracted the attention of educators
worldwide—and how you can emulate that success in
your own classroom.
Next, you’ll learn about the importance of place value
as a fundamental element of any strong mathematics
curriculum. You’ll see how computation can be taught
through an understanding of place value. And, you’ll have
hands-on experience using place value manipulatives that
are yours to keep when the training is over.
You’ll explore strategies for building number sense,
starting as early as grade 1. You’ll understand why and
how this approach places such a strong emphasis on
number bonds and part-whole thinking. You’ll learn how
this coherent approach to instruction builds on student
background knowledge and teaches for mastery.
You’ll see strategies you can immediately incorporate in
your classroom that are based on the research developed
by mathematics giants Jerome Bruner, Richard Skemp
and Zolton Dienes. Plus, time will be spent explaining
the foundational pieces that are necessary for students to
understand when learning fractions.
Throughout the training you’ll have the opportunity to
practice techniques, ask questions, and exchange ideas
with colleagues. And you’ll come away armed with some
incredibly powerful strategies for building real number
sense in your students.
Why These Techniques?
• Singapore students in grades 4 and 8 have scored at or very
near the top—well ahead of the U.S.—in international math
competency since 1995. We’ve seen the proof, and we believe
that the concepts made famous in Singapore should be used
to teach math around the world.
• A 2007 report from the National Mathematics Advisory
Panel noted how critical it is for students to develop
computational proficiency with whole numbers. This
includes automatic recall of number facts and fluency with
the standard algorithms of the 4 mathematical operations.
Math With Meaning offers many powerful ways to build
this proficiency.
Program Materials
Place Value Disks
These easy-to-manipulate
disks provide hands-on
practice for developing
number sense. Color-coded
according to place value, the
140 foam disks allow your
students to visually track
what happens when they
regroup numbers in both
addition and subtraction.
Place Value Strips
Strip away the confusion
about place value!
These color-coded strips
provide students with
a visual representation
of place value and help
them develop number sense.
Ten-Frame Cards
Provide the visual support your
students will need to understand
number bonds to 10. These
extra-large cards give the pictorial
stage that bridges the gap
between the concrete and abstract
representation of a number.
Comprehensive
Resource Book
As part of the training, every
participant will receive a
Resource Book containing all
the practical strategies and
ideas covered in the program.
Also contained in the Resource
Book is a Study Guide to help
participants pass this training
information on to their
colleagues when they return to school. It will be a worthy
addition to your professional library that is sure to be referred
to again and again!