In the Omidyar K – 1 Neighborhood, students strengthen early math skills through a progression of subitizing games designed to match their developmental levels. This classroom work reflects the broader K – 5 math approach shared with families during the recent PFA Monthly Gathering and Teacher Talk on the math journey on Jan. 9.
Subitizing is the ability to instantly recognize the number of objects in a group without counting individually. This skill supports number sense and flexibility, mental math and an understanding of patterns and place value.
In Tricia Masumoto ’89 Matsumoto’s kindergarten class, students play a Memory-style subitizing game, matching cards by quickly identifying quantities. Afterward, students reflect with partners on which numbers were easiest or hardest to subitize, fostering collaboration and early critical thinking.
In Natalie Hayashi’s first grade class, students extend subitizing through multiple games. Activities include the Place Value Trading Game, where students add two cards and trade unit cubes for tens blocks on the way to 120; a math-based Go Fish focused on making ten; and One More, Ten More, which connects equations to place-value reasoning. Card Comparisons challenge students to create and compare sums using greater-than and less-than symbols. Class discussions further reinforce understanding, such as explaining how to represent numbers like 37 using groups of tens and ones.
Through active, hands-on play, students build confidence and deepen their understanding of numbers as they progress from kindergarten to first grade. At the January PFA Monthly Gathering, attendees got a first-hand look at these math practices and philosophies as our faculty members gave an informative presentation on the K – 5 math journey here at Punahou. Learn more about the event here: PFA Monthly Gathering and Teacher Talk – Exploring the K – 5 Math Journey
