Subitizing Superpowers: See Numbers Fast!

Math Grades 1st Grade 4:13 Video
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Lesson Description

Learn to recognize small groups of objects quickly without counting, just like a math superhero! This lesson uses a fun song and activities to help you develop your subitizing skills.

Video Resource

Subitize Rap (soo-bi-tize) | Math Song for Kids | Jack Hartmann

Jack Hartmann Kids Music Channel

Duration: 4:13
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Subitizing: Recognizing a small group of objects without counting.
  • Number sense: Understanding what numbers mean and how they relate to each other.
  • Quick recognition: Developing the ability to identify quantities rapidly.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify sets of 1-5 objects instantly.
  • Students will be able to explain what subitizing means.
  • Students will demonstrate improved number sense through subitizing activities.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students if they know what 'subitizing' means. Introduce the concept: 'Subitizing means seeing a small group of things and knowing how many there are right away, without having to count each one!'
  • Watch the 'Subitize Rap' Video (3 mins)
    Play the Jack Hartmann 'Subitize Rap' video. Encourage students to sing along and follow the instructions in the song ('Use your brain, use your eyes, see a set, subitize!').
  • Practice with Flash Cards (7 mins)
    Show flash cards with different arrangements of dots (1-5). Have students call out the number they see as quickly as they can. Repeat several times. Vary the arrangement of the dots on each flashcard to avoid rote memorization of patterns.
  • Subitizing with Fingers (5 mins)
    Teacher holds up a number of fingers (1-5). Students quickly say the number they see. Do this several times, varying the number of fingers. Extend: Have the students show you a number of fingers and you try to subitize them.
  • Subitizing with Dice (5 mins)
    Roll a die (or two). Ask students to quickly say the number they see. Have students work in pairs, rolling a die and asking their partner to subitize the number.
  • Wrap-up and Review (5 mins)
    Review the definition of subitizing. Ask students when they might use subitizing in everyday life (e.g., recognizing how many crackers are on their plate, how many crayons they have in their hand). Sing the 'Subitize Rap' song one last time.

Interactive Exercises

  • Dot Plate Matching
    Give each student a set of small paper plates and stickers. The teacher calls out a number (1-5) and students must arrange that many stickers on a plate in a subitizable pattern (e.g., like a dice face). Then, students find other students who have the same number, but arranged differently.
  • Subitizing Scavenger Hunt
    Hide small groups of objects (1-5) around the classroom. Have students find the groups and write down the number they see without counting.

Discussion Questions

  • What does it mean to 'subitize'?
  • Can you think of a time when you used subitizing without even knowing it?
  • Why is it helpful to be able to subitize?

Skills Developed

  • Number recognition
  • Visual perception
  • Mathematical fluency
  • Quick Recall

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What does 'subitize' mean?

Correct Answer: Seeing a group of things and knowing how many there are quickly.

Question 2:

If you see this many dots: ••, how many are there?

Correct Answer: 2

Question 3:

Which shows 3 dots?

Correct Answer: •••

Question 4:

How many fingers are on one hand?

Correct Answer: 5

Question 5:

A dice has dots on it. If you roll a dice and see •• •, how many dots are there?

Correct Answer: 3

Question 6:

Which one of these shows •••• dots?

Correct Answer: Four

Question 7:

Which has more? •••• or •?

Correct Answer: Four

Question 8:

What is something you can do with a number?

Correct Answer: Count it

Question 9:

What part of your body is really good to subitize with?

Correct Answer: Brain

Question 10:

When you subitize, do you want to be?

Correct Answer: Quick

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

Subitizing means seeing a group of things and knowing how _____ there are.

Correct Answer: many

Question 2:

If you see one dot, you know there is just _____.

Correct Answer: one

Question 3:

The song says to use your _____ and your eyes to subitize.

Correct Answer: brain

Question 4:

Seeing how many things there are quickly helps you get better at _____.

Correct Answer: math

Question 5:

When you subitize, you don't need to _____.

Correct Answer: count

Question 6:

What can you do with your eyes to subitize?

Correct Answer: see

Question 7:

What part of a song can help you subitize?

Correct Answer: lyrics

Question 8:

Being able to subitize can help you with _____?

Correct Answer: fluency

Question 9:

How can you see numbers more easily?

Correct Answer: eyes

Question 10:

When someone asks you what is shown in the set, you can tell them what ______?

Correct Answer: number

Educational Standards

CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.C.6:Add and subtract within 20, demonstrating fluency for addition and subtraction within 10. Use strategies such as counting on; making ten (e.g., 8 + 6 = 8 + 2 + 4 = 10 + 4 = 14); decomposing a number leading to a ten (e.g., 13 - 4 = 13 - 3 - 1 = 10 - 1 = 9); using the relationship between addition and subtraction (e.g., knowing that 8 + 4 = 12, one knows 12 - 8 = 4); and creating equivalent but easier or known sums (e.g., adding 6 + 7 by creating the known equivalent 6 + 6 + 1 = 12 + 1 = 13). CCSS.Math.Content.1.NBT.A.1:Count to 120, starting at any number less than 120. In this range, read and write numerals and represent a number of objects with a written numeral.

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