Kindergarten Mathematics
Students will develop an understanding of three general units: Numbers, Patterns and Relations, Shape and Space; Measurement, and 3-D/2-D objects.
Children’s early experiences shape what they imagine to be possible. Study after study has shown the value of exposing children with positive role models. Representation, including in the hours spent consuming media within the classroom, shape what they imagine to be possible for people who look like them, live where they live, or come from where they came from. Simply put, kids determine what they can be based on the examples around them. Therefore, we highly recommend you take 2-5 minutes everyday in your math class to introduce mathematicians of colour. We've made this easy for you by creating a presentation that you can use with a slide a day to showcase a new mathematician of diverse background. You could do this on a daily, weekly, bi-weekly or during a certain month. You could also make your own presentation and encourage this representation.
K-6 Mathematicians of Colour by Canadian Cultural Mosaic Foundation
Mathematicians of colour to introduce to your class related to the Alberta curriculum
The Exceptional Life of Benjamin Banneker Mathematician: Benjamin Banneker
Short video biography of African-American mathematician Benjamin Banneker. Banneker invented the first clock that struck hourly, after teaching himself mathematics. Banneker was also known for being outspoken on issues around slavery and racial injustice in the US.
The Exceptional Life of Benjamin Banneker Mathematician: Benjamin Banneker
Short video biography of African-American mathematician Benjamin Banneker. Banneker invented the first clock that struck hourly, after teaching himself mathematics. Banneker was also known for being outspoken on issues around slavery and racial injustice in the US.
- Curriculum connection: Develop Number Sense
- 1a. Say the number sequence 1 to 10 by 1s - starting anywhere from 1 to 10 and from 10 to 1
- 3a. Relate a numeral 1 to 10 to its respective quantity - Suggested use:
- Although the resource itself is very text heavy, could be used to expose the students to a Black mathematician who invented something important that will still use today. Could do classroom activities using clocks and various timers, relating the numbers to quantities, practicing counting the sequence to 12. - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing (depending on reading ability)
Mary Jackson - Educational Video Mathematician: Mary Jackson
Educational video describing the life of Mary Jackson, one of NASA's first female engineers and mathematicians who contributed to the first trip to the moon. cross-curricular connection to science in the Building with Different Materials and Testing Materials and Designs units in Grade 3.
Educational video describing the life of Mary Jackson, one of NASA's first female engineers and mathematicians who contributed to the first trip to the moon. cross-curricular connection to science in the Building with Different Materials and Testing Materials and Designs units in Grade 3.
- Curriculum connection: Shape and Space: Measurement & Shape and Space
- 3c. Build and describe 3-D objects
- 2c. Sort 3-D objects/ using a single attribute - Suggested use:
- Could be used as an introduction/inspiration to a building/design challenge involving outcomes related to Shape & Space. Relate classroom activities such as measurement, building, design & testing back to the profession of engineering and Mary Jackson's example - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal (transcription)
- Video does not include closed caption or descriptive captioning
Develop Number Sense
Mathematics of the Americas: Activity Booklet
PDF of various mathematics activities that incorporate lessons about mathematics developed in various South American civilizations (Aztec and Inca). The activities span across all grades, with specific pages relating to K-3 math curriculum.
Mathematics of the Americas: Activity Booklet
PDF of various mathematics activities that incorporate lessons about mathematics developed in various South American civilizations (Aztec and Inca). The activities span across all grades, with specific pages relating to K-3 math curriculum.
- Curriculum connection:
- 1a. Say the number sequence 1 to 10 by 1s - starting anywhere from 1 to 10 and from 10 to 1
- 4a. Represent and describe numbers 2 to 10 concretely and pictorially - Suggested use:
- Create own counting tools with loose parts related to the materials in the document (i.e. shells, beads, rocks, sticks). Teachers may want to modify the tools to represent only numbers to 10 or 20 in order to connect directly with the K outcomes of number sense - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
Ojibwemotaadidaa! - Let's Speak Ojibwe (To One Another)
Video of counting in the language of Ojibwe. The video is almost 30 minutes long. Counting to 10 begins at 1:05 - 2:34.
Video of counting in the language of Ojibwe. The video is almost 30 minutes long. Counting to 10 begins at 1:05 - 2:34.
- Curriculum connection:
- 1a. Say the number sequence 1 to 10 by 1s - starting anywhere from 1 to 10 and from 10 to 1 - Suggested use:
- Watch the video and learn to count to 10 or 20 in Ojibwe. Learn about the traditional languages spoken on the land where you are and how to count to 10 or 20 in them. Have students share their home languages and ways that they count to ten. Create a classroom number wall or book to show all the diverse languages the class has collected and how to count to 10 or 20 - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing (auto-generated captions, dependent on reading ability)
Count to 100 - Anthony Broughton (MiSTER B)
Students can learn to count to 100, with this fun, upbeat song.
Students can learn to count to 100, with this fun, upbeat song.
- Curriculum connection:
- 1a. Say the number sequence 1 to 10 by 1s. Starting anywhere from 1 to 10 and from 10 to 1 - Suggested use:
- Play story before a math lesson on counting. Create centres that allow students the opportunity to count various groups of objects multiple times, like in the story, and help them to notice patterns related to the quantity of objects in groups (i.e. 2 things vs. 10 things) - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal
- Captions not available, additional accommodations may be required for visually impaired students as descriptive captioning is not available
Living Maya Time
Math games that teach the Aztec counting method, that utilized various symbols for numerical quantities. The games are simple, and can easily be played in a computer lab or in a classroom on a projector.
Math games that teach the Aztec counting method, that utilized various symbols for numerical quantities. The games are simple, and can easily be played in a computer lab or in a classroom on a projector.
- Curriculum connection:
- 2a. Subtilize (recognize at a glance) and name familiar arrangements of 1 to 5 objects or dots
- 4a. Represent and describe numbers 2 to 10 concretely and pictorially - Suggested use:
- Follow up activity after class practices with loose parts related to the materials in the document (i.e. shells, beads, rocks, sticks). Students could use technology to independently practice this system of counting a representing numbers to 20. Teachers may want to use only the first practice round to practice representing only numbers to 10 or 20 in order to connect directly with the K outcomes of number sense. Teachers should also be sure to clarify for students that this number system is a base-20 system, vs the system we currently use which is a base-10 system - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing, dependent on reading ability - additional accommodations may be required
Basic Addition for Kindergarten
In this video, the children will learn about the basic things about addition. Concepts, symbols and some ways of adding numbers were discussed in a way that the kids would find it fun and easy. Here, addition with the use of objects, numerals, and adding in vertical and horizontal ways were shown.
In this video, the children will learn about the basic things about addition. Concepts, symbols and some ways of adding numbers were discussed in a way that the kids would find it fun and easy. Here, addition with the use of objects, numerals, and adding in vertical and horizontal ways were shown.
- Curriculum connection:
- 2a. Subtilize (recognize at a glance) and name familiar arrangements of 1 to 5 objects or dots - Suggested use:
- Introduction of general Math concepts and abstract thought in math. Assign basic math worksheets relating to a number line - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal, hard of hearing
- Auto-captioned - dependent on reading ability. Additional accommodations may be required for visually impaired students as descriptive captioning is not available
Wendy Alex and Lyndon Learn Math & Numbers for the School Exam
Wendy, Alex and Lyndon have a math test and need to learn simple addition and subtraction. This fun video for kids will help them learn the importance of studying and learning math.
Wendy, Alex and Lyndon have a math test and need to learn simple addition and subtraction. This fun video for kids will help them learn the importance of studying and learning math.
- Curriculum connection:
- 3a. Relate a numeral 1 to 10 to its respective quantity - Suggested use:
- Discussion of basic math. Introduction to number-lines and basic equations - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal, hard of hearing
- Auto-captioned- dependent on reading ability. Additional accommodations may be required for visually impaired students as descriptive captioning is not available
Basic Subtraction for Kindergarten
In this video, the children will learn about the basic concepts in Subtraction. They will learn about the different ways on how to do it properly. They will also learn about the different techniques on finding the difference the easier and faster way.
In this video, the children will learn about the basic concepts in Subtraction. They will learn about the different ways on how to do it properly. They will also learn about the different techniques on finding the difference the easier and faster way.
- Curriculum connection:
- 3a. Relate a numeral 1 to 10 to its respective quantity - Suggested use:
- Discussion of basic math/subtraction. Introduction to number-lines and basic equations - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal, hard of hearing
- Auto-captioned- dependent on reading ability. Additional accommodations may be required for visually impaired students as descriptive captioning is not available
Place Value Song For Kids Ones, Tens, & Hundreds
This video is a song that will teach children about place value.
This video is a song that will teach children about place value.
- Curriculum connection:
- 3a. Relate a numeral 1 to 10 to its respective quantity - Suggested use:
- Introduction to place value. and larger numbers - have class assignment on basic place values, up to 3 digits - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal, hard of hearing
- Auto-captioned- dependent on reading ability. Additional accommodations may be required for visually impaired students as descriptive captioning is not available
Subtraction 1 to 9
A video that teaches the concept of subtraction and how one goes about subtracting numbers.
A video that teaches the concept of subtraction and how one goes about subtracting numbers.
- Curriculum connection:
- 3a. Relate a numeral 1 to 10 to its respective quantity - Suggested use:
- Discussion of basic math/subtraction. Introduction to number-lines and basic equations - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal, hard of hearing; auto-captioned- dependent on reading ability. Additional accommodations may be required for visually impaired students as descriptive captioning is not available.
Math For Kids - Introduction to Addition
A video that introduces students to the concept of addition.
A video that introduces students to the concept of addition.
- Curriculum connection:
- 3a. Relate a numeral 1 to 10 to its respective quantity - Suggested use:
- Discussion of basic math/addition. Introduction to number-lines and basic equations - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal, hard of hearing
- Auto-captioned- dependent on reading ability. Additional accommodations may be required for visually impaired students as descriptive captioning is not available
Suanpan - The Chinese Abacus
This document complies some exercises that be used with a simple abacus to learn how to add, subtract or multiply/divide. Since this aligns with curriculum between K-3 and 4-6, this document can be used for both age groups.
This document complies some exercises that be used with a simple abacus to learn how to add, subtract or multiply/divide. Since this aligns with curriculum between K-3 and 4-6, this document can be used for both age groups.
- Curriculum connection:
- 4a. Represent and describe numbers 2 to 10 concretely and pictorially
- 3a. Relate a numeral 1 to 10 to its respective quantity - Suggested use:
- Have class create their own abacus tools with cardboard, pipe cleaners, and beads. Teachers may want to modify the tools to represent only numbers to 10 or 20 in order to connect directly with the K outcomes of number sense - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing, and nonverbal
Aboriginal Perspectives: Number Concepts
This page provides an activity for teachers to use in first grade math classrooms. This activity focuses on the significance of the land to various First Nations communities while also educating student about counting numbers in specific units (ie. counting by 2's, 5's, etc.)
This page provides an activity for teachers to use in first grade math classrooms. This activity focuses on the significance of the land to various First Nations communities while also educating student about counting numbers in specific units (ie. counting by 2's, 5's, etc.)
- Curriculum connection:
- 4a. Represent and describe numbers 2 to 10 concretely and pictorially
- 5a. Compare quantities 1 to 10 using one-to-one correspondence - Suggested use:
- Classroom activities outlined on the website itself. Tasks should be modified for kindergarten to explore numbers to 10 (or 20 for extensions) - Accessibility:
- Additional accommodations required for all nonverbal, hard of hearing, and visually impaired students
Counting Coins Song for Kids | Learning About Money Song For Kids
A video in which teaches children through song about the value of coins.
A video in which teaches children through song about the value of coins.
- Curriculum connection:
- 4a. Represent and describe numbers 2 to 10 concretely and pictorially - Suggested use:
- Introduction to counting currency and using something other than basic numbers. Have students learn and memorize currency amounts and complete worksheets of basic addition and subtraction of currency - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal, hard of hearing
- Auto-captioned- dependent on reading ability. Additional accommodations may be required for visually impaired students as descriptive captioning is not available
Multicultural Game from Africa and Asia: Mancala
Mancala is a multicultural game that has been around for centuries. Forms of this game were played in ancient Africa and Asia. There are many different names, boards and rules of play for Mancala, but most are played on wooden boards with beads, stones or glass game pieces. Children in Africa would play by scooping holes in the dirt to create a game board. Refer to website for full game-play instructions.
Mancala is a multicultural game that has been around for centuries. Forms of this game were played in ancient Africa and Asia. There are many different names, boards and rules of play for Mancala, but most are played on wooden boards with beads, stones or glass game pieces. Children in Africa would play by scooping holes in the dirt to create a game board. Refer to website for full game-play instructions.
- Curriculum connection:
- 4a. Represent and describe numbers 2 to 10 concretely and pictorially - Suggested use:
- Mancala is a multicultural game that has been around for centuries. Forms of this game were played in ancient Africa and Asia. There are many different names, boards and rules of play for Mancala, but most are played on wooden boards with beads, stones or glass game pieces. Children in Africa would play by scooping holes in the dirt to create a game board. Refer to website for full game-play instructions - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
Aboriginal Perspectives: Addition and Subtraction
This website provides a lesson plan on how to introduce the concept of addition and subtraction to kindergarten students. The activity centers the math education around an Indigenous framework, referencing various Indigenous individuals to introduce addition and subtraction.
This website provides a lesson plan on how to introduce the concept of addition and subtraction to kindergarten students. The activity centers the math education around an Indigenous framework, referencing various Indigenous individuals to introduce addition and subtraction.
- Curriculum connection:
- 4a. Represent and describe numbers 2 to 10 concretely and pictorially
- 5a. Compare quantities 1 to 10 using one-to-one correspondence - Suggested use:
- Classroom activities outlined on the website itself - Accessibility:
-Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
Small Number Counts to 100
Video that presents a mathematics problem in context of the life of a young Indigenous boy living on the reserve. The video provides a math problem for student to solve while also describing and showcasing various aspects of Indigenous culture, specifically highlighting Treaty 7 (Blackfoot and Cree languages).
Video that presents a mathematics problem in context of the life of a young Indigenous boy living on the reserve. The video provides a math problem for student to solve while also describing and showcasing various aspects of Indigenous culture, specifically highlighting Treaty 7 (Blackfoot and Cree languages).
- Curriculum connection:
- 5a. Compare quantities 1 to 10 using one-to-one correspondence - Suggested use:
- Play story before a math lesson on counting, skip counting, or patterns
- Discuss mathematical vocabulary related to the story and create matching text posters around the classroom. Let students put a checkmark on the paper each time they can use that word in context.
Create centres that allow students the opportunity to count various groups of objects multiple times, like in the story, and help them to notice patterns related to the quantity of objects in groups (i.e. 2 things vs. 10 things) - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing, dependent on reading ability
Learning Patterns for Kids
This video will teach the children to observe the patterns or sequence of how things were arranged around them. This is the beginning concept of arranging numbers in order or even sequencing events. The kinds of pattern were presented here in simple yet interesting way that kids would learn easily.
This video will teach the children to observe the patterns or sequence of how things were arranged around them. This is the beginning concept of arranging numbers in order or even sequencing events. The kinds of pattern were presented here in simple yet interesting way that kids would learn easily.
- Curriculum connection:
- 1b. Demonstrate an understanding of repeating patterns (two or three elements) by: identifying/ reproducing/ extending/ creating patterns using manipulatives sounds and actions - Suggested use:
- Introduction into patterns and sequences. Assign basic arrangement problems that the students must solve. Hold a class discussion about sequences observed in everyday life - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Auto-captioned, but dependent on reading ability. Additional accommodations may be required for visually impaired students as descriptive captioning is not available.
Patterns and Relations
5 Times Table Song | Skip Counting by 5 Rap For Kids
A song teaching kids how to skip count by the multiple of 5.
5 Times Table Song | Skip Counting by 5 Rap For Kids
A song teaching kids how to skip count by the multiple of 5.
- Curriculum connection:
- 1b. Demonstrate an understanding of repeating patterns (two or three elements) by: identifying/ reproducing/ extending/ creating patterns using manipulatives sounds and actions. - Suggested use:
- Introduction to basic multiplication. Have students complete basic math problems using multiplication of 5's Create centres that allow students the opportunity to count various groups of objects multiple times, like in the story, and help them to notice patterns related to the quantity of objects in groups (i.e. 2 things vs. 10 things) - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Auto-captioned, dependent on reading ability. Additional accommodations may be required for visually impaired students as descriptive captioning is not available.
Shape and Space: Measurement & Shape and Space
Aboriginal Perspectives: Shape and Space
This activity uses various objects related to Indigenous culture to facilitate conversations for Kindergaten students about shape and space, objects, and dimensions. This activity also introduces mathematical language relating to the unit.
Aboriginal Perspectives: Shape and Space
This activity uses various objects related to Indigenous culture to facilitate conversations for Kindergaten students about shape and space, objects, and dimensions. This activity also introduces mathematical language relating to the unit.
- Curriculum connection:
- 2c. Sort 3-D objects/ using a single attribute
- 3c. Build and describe 3-D objects - Suggested use:
- Classroom activities outlined on the website - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal (excluding discussion portion) hard of hearing, visually impaired (provided hands-on access to materials and student opportunities to interact with 3D objects)
Aboriginal Perspectives: Measurement
Class activity centring around building a tipi. This activity is useful for introducing the idea of measurement in Kindergarten math.
Class activity centring around building a tipi. This activity is useful for introducing the idea of measurement in Kindergarten math.
- Curriculum connection:
- 1c. Use direct comparison to compare two objects based on a single attribute/ such as length (height)/ mass (weight) and volume (capacity)
- 2b. Sort a set of objects based on a single attribute/ explain the sorting rule - Suggested use:
- Classroom activities outlined on the website - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
Aboriginal Perspectives: Transformations
The page provide a class activity that utilizes birch bark biting artwork to have student identify how the shapes changes and transform within the picture. Birch bark biting is a form of Indigenous artwork.
The page provide a class activity that utilizes birch bark biting artwork to have student identify how the shapes changes and transform within the picture. Birch bark biting is a form of Indigenous artwork.
- Curriculum connection:
- 1c. Use direct comparison to compare two objects based on a single attribute/ such as length (height)/ mass (weight) and volume (capacity)
- 2b. Sort a set of objects based on a single attribute/ explain the sorting rule - Suggested use:
- Classroom activities outlined on the website itself - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
Basic Measurement
Short video explaining basic measurement differences such as those between a Spider, Ladybug, and Ant.
Short video explaining basic measurement differences such as those between a Spider, Ladybug, and Ant.
- Curriculum connection:
- 1c. Use direct comparison to compare two objects based on a single attribute/ such as length (height)/ mass (weight) and volume (capacity) - Suggested use:
- Discussion on size comparison between objects Introduction to measurement (worksheet) Have students organize objects by size, hold a discussion on how they made their choices - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal
- No captions available
3D Shapes Song For Kids | Spheres, Cylinders, Pyramids, Cubes, & Cones
This video is a song that will teach children about shapes.
This video is a song that will teach children about shapes.
- Curriculum connection:
- 2c. Sort 3-D objects/ using a single attribute - Suggested use:
- Introduction to 3D shapes - classroom activity around building with 3D shapes/puzzles - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal (excluding discussion portion) hard of hearing, visually impaired (provided hands-on access to materials and student opportunities to interact with 3D objects)
Develop Number Sense
Egyptian Mathematics
The Egyptians were the first known civilization to create a visual number system through the usage of hieroglyphics. Additionally, Egyptian mathematics were important in creating multiplication functions, that are now used to code modern computers.
Egyptian Mathematics
The Egyptians were the first known civilization to create a visual number system through the usage of hieroglyphics. Additionally, Egyptian mathematics were important in creating multiplication functions, that are now used to code modern computers.
- Curriculum connection:
- 4a. Represent and describe numbers 2 to 10 concretely and pictorially
- 5a. Compare quantities 1 to 10 using one-to-one correspondence - Suggested use:
- Use to represent examples of diverse number systems when learning about our base ten number system. Display as part of a number wall that includes examples of diverse number systems and languages. Incorporate into centres using loose parts and having students match the symbol with a quantity of items. After introducing, have students create their own counting tools, such as an abacus or rekenrek, using beads, string, wires, cardboard, or other materials
The History of the Abacus
This document shares a brief history of the abacus and its development in ancient China. The abacus can be used for counting, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, etc. Based on the curriculum, abacus math is appropriate for K-3 and 4-6 math.
This document shares a brief history of the abacus and its development in ancient China. The abacus can be used for counting, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, etc. Based on the curriculum, abacus math is appropriate for K-3 and 4-6 math.
- Curriculum connection:
- 4a. Represent and describe numbers 2 to 10 concretely and pictorially
- 5a. Compare quantities 1 to 10 using one-to-one correspondence - Suggested use:
- Use to represent examples of diverse number systems when learning about our base ten number system. Display as part of a number wall that includes examples of diverse number systems and languages. Incorporate into centres using loose parts and having students match the symbol with a quantity of items. After introducing, have students create their own counting tools, such as an abacus or rekenrek, using beads, string, wires, cardboard, or other materials
Math Strategies for Teaching Place Value in Elementary School : Understanding Math
This video explains strategies to use when teaching place values.
This video explains strategies to use when teaching place values.
- Curriculum connection:
- 3a. Relate a numeral 1 to 10 to its respective quantity
- 5a. Compare quantities 1 to 10 using one-to-one correspondence
Teaching Mathematics for Social Justice: Conversations with Educators
Book that discusses the challenges and strengths of incorporating anti-racism and social justice into math education. The book describes ways to do this and the nuances and sensitivities needs to do this properly in a classroom setting.
Book that discusses the challenges and strengths of incorporating anti-racism and social justice into math education. The book describes ways to do this and the nuances and sensitivities needs to do this properly in a classroom setting.
