This set consists of 1000 solid round counters in 5 colours; 200 each in green, yellow, blue, white and red. The counters are round and measure 19mm in diameter. This makes it possible to use them on a hundred board with 2x2cm grids. They are supplied in a very sturdy, reusable container for easy storage. The container has little feet on the bottom which will stop them from sliding. Counters are a must have in every mathematics classroom. They can be a great tool for students to teach them about counting, sorting, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and much more. Here are some ideas of activities you can do with counters.
- Make pairs. Place 10 counters in a row. Students have to find a way to create 5 pairs. They can only move the counters by picking them up and jumping over at least one counter. This means that they can not place a counter on top of the counter next to it. How many steps do they need to create 5 pairs?
- Addition and subtraction. Place 8 counters on the table. What happens if you take away 3 counters? Students have just performed a subtraction of 8 – 3 = 5.
- Counting counters. Place one counter in the middle of the table. Students have to create a ring of counters around the counter. Each counter has to touch the counter in the middle, and at least 2 other counters. The ring has to be as small as possible. How many counters do you need to create one ring around the middle counter? And how big is the next ring up? Can you guess how many counters you would need for the next ring? And the ring after that?
Counting is an important part of the Mathematics Curriculum and is repeatedly mentioned in the curriculum for first years of primary school. The process of counting, sorting, adding and subtracting is a complex one. By using materials like counters. children will get a visual understanding of the concept, which will help them improve their skills in conservation, classifying, comparing, ordering and patterning.
