Number sense
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Number sense is an intuitive understanding of numbers, their sizes, their relationships and how they change when combined.
Topic: Math instruction
In plain terms
A student with strong number sense knows that 8 is close to 10, that 25 is a quarter of 100, and that an answer of 900 to 48 + 51 must be wrong. It includes counting, comparing quantities, recognizing small groups without counting, and understanding place value. Number sense grows with experience using objects, number lines and talk about numbers, and weak number sense is a common feature of dyscalculia.
How it shows up in an IEP
Early number sense goals target skills like comparing numbers, counting on, or placing numbers on a number line, measured with short probes. Later goals may target estimation and checking whether an answer is reasonable.
Example
A first grader shown two dot cards with 6 and 9 dots says which has more without counting in 9 of 10 trials, then explains how by pointing to the extra row.
Related terms
- One-to-one correspondenceOne-to-one correspondence is matching exactly one number word to each object counted, so every item is counted once.
- Place valuePlace value is the idea that a digit's value depends on its position in a number, such as ones, tens or hundreds.
- DyscalculiaDyscalculia is a specific learning disability in math that affects number sense, learning math facts and accurate, fluent calculation.
- CRA (concrete-representational-abstract)CRA is a teaching sequence that moves from hands-on objects to drawings to numbers and symbols, so students understand math before working abstractly.
- Math fact fluencyMath fact fluency is the ability to recall basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts quickly and accurately.
On IEP Atlas
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