Counters
Number · Reception–Year 4
Drag counters on, sort by colour, arrange them into arrays.
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About the counters
The simplest manipulative there is, and one of the most used. Drag counters onto the mat in four colours and the count reads out at the top.
Set how many go in a row and Tidy up will arrange them into an array, which is the picture behind multiplication, grouping and sharing. Four rows of six, then change it to six rows of four, and the total stays the same.
Two colours are handy for sorting, for showing how many are left when some are taken away, and for odd and even.
Counters are large enough for children to move themselves, and two can work on the board at once.
How to use it on your whiteboard
- 1Drag counters from the tray onto the mat, or tap a colour to drop one on.
- 2Set how many you want in a row, then tap Tidy up to make an array.
- 3Drag counters into groups for grouping and sharing.
- 4The count at the top of the tray updates as you add and remove.
- 5Select several with a drag around them to move or delete them together.
Questions
- Can I make an array for times tables?
- Yes. Choose how many per row, then Tidy up. Change the number per row and the same counters rearrange, which is a neat way to show that four sixes and six fours match.
- How many counters can I use?
- As many as fit the mat. For counting past about fifty, number shapes or Dienes blocks are usually easier to read.
- Can children use it themselves?
- Yes. The counters and the tray are sized for fingers, and two children can drag at the same time.