Cube Count Tutoring Guide
Tutoring Guide 35 Minutes • 1:1 or Small Group
Cube Count Quest
Target: Numbers 1–15
Focus: Cubes + Whiteboard Integration
Objectives
Count sets up to 15 with 1:1 touch; build "Tower of 10" with loose ones; write numbers 1–8 independently and trace 9–15 neatly.
Materials
15 snap cubes per student (10 blue, 5 yellow), mini whiteboard, dry-erase marker & eraser, Cube Count Quest Worksheet.
Core Strategy
Cubes + Whiteboard pairing: Build physical tower directly on whiteboard, draw dividing line, and write matching digits underneath.
Timed 35-Minute Instructional Arc
1
Warm-Up & Mystery Grab (0–5 min)
5 Minutes
Action: Dump 12–15 cubes in a small bowl. Student grabs a handful and estimates: "Is it more or less than 10?" Then line up cubes and count aloud touching each once.
Tutor Script: "Count with me as you touch each cube: 1, 2, 3... Stop! How many did we touch? You touched 13 cubes. Let's make sure none got counted twice."
2
Concrete Modeling: Cubes & Whiteboard Mat (5–15 min)
10 Minutes
Setup: Draw a vertical dividing line down the student's whiteboard. Label left side "10 Stick" and right side "Extra Ones".
1. Build Stick & Write "1":
Snap 10 blue cubes. Place the stick on the left side of the whiteboard. Have student write "1" under it: "This 1 means 1 full tower of ten!"
2. Place Ones & Write Digit:
Place 3 yellow loose cubes on the right. Student writes "3" under them. Slide the numbers together to read 13! Repeat for 11, 12, 14, and 15.
Whiteboard Anchor: Seeing the 10-stick directly above the digit "1" prevents reversals (like writing 31 instead of 13).
3
Pictorial to Abstract: Practice Worksheet (15–27 min)
12 Minutes
Transition to the Cube Count Quest Worksheet. Students count large snap cube towers, write numerals within primary handwriting guidelines, color cubes neatly inside borders, and complete the Cube Stepping Stones (write 1–8, trace 9–15).
Cube Count Quest • Tutor Guide Page 1 of 2
2
Tutoring Stages, Cues & Interventions
Wrap-Up & Diagnostic Cues
4 Cube Challenge Game 5 Min
"Build & Flash": Tutor calls out a teen number (e.g., 14). Student builds it using the 10-stick + loose cubes on their whiteboard in under 15 seconds, then writes the numeral neatly and flashes the board.
5 Quick Exit Check 3 Min
Tutor shows 15 cubes scattered. Student groups 10 into a stick, identifies 5 loose ones, writes numeral 15 on their exit space, and completes the stepping stone check.
Handwriting Formation Prompts (11 to 15)
Write Left to Right: 1 Ten First!
11
"Straight line down, and down again—eleven is two ones, my friend!"
12
"A one first, then round and back on the railroad track—twelve!"
13
"Write the one, then around the tree and around the tree makes thirteen!"
14
"Down for one; down, over, down once more—that makes fourteen!"
15
"A one, then down, around, and put on a hat—fifteen just like that!"
Common Misconceptions & Tutor Interventions
Observed Misconception
Why It Happens
Immediate Tutor Action
Reversing Digits (writes "51" for 15 or "31" for 13)
Student hears "fif-" or "thir-" first and writes that digit first.
Point to the whiteboard: "Who comes first? The big Ten tower! Write the 1 first under the stick, then the loose ones."
Recounting the Ten Stick from 1 each time
Lack of unitizing trust; hasn't internalized the locked ten group.
Tap the stick firmly: "This stick is locked at 10. Tap and say '10!' Then count on: 11, 12, 13..."
Losing 1:1 Correspondence above 10
Counting faster than fingers move; double touching items.
Use "Touch and Move": slide each cube across the whiteboard line as its number is spoken.
Tutor Session Checkpoint Mark: S (Secure) • D (Developing) • N (Needs Practice)
1:1 Touch Counting Counts to 15 without double-tagging
Cubes + Whiteboard Alignment Builds 10 + ones; writes 1 ten first
Numeral Formation Writes 1–8; traces 9–15 neatly
Cube Count Quest • Tutor Guide Page 2 of 2
Cube Count Quest Worksheet
Math Tutoring Activity Numbers 1 to 15
Cube Count Quest
Name:
Date:
1
Count the Big Cubes & Write the Number
The blue tower is locked at 10. Touch each cube neatly!
1 Ten
Ones
Write Number:
10 and 1 more
1 Ten
Ones
Write Number:
10 and 3 more
1 Ten
Ones
Write Number:
10 and 2 more
1 Ten
Ones
Write Number:
10 and 4 more
2
Number Trail: Trace & Write (10 to 15)
Trace the dotted number, then write neatly on the lines!
10
10
11
11
12
12
13
13
14
14
15
15
Cube Count Quest • Student Practice Page 1 of 2
2
Coloring, Comparing & Stepping Stones
Cube Count Quest
3
Color the Cubes (Work on Neatness Inside the Lines!)
Color from bottom to top!
Color 15
10 and _____ more
Color 12
10 and _____ more
Color 14
10 and _____ more
4
Count, Write, and Circle the Tower with MORE
Circle the greater group
Set A: Which has MORE cubes?
Set B: Which has MORE cubes?
5
Cube Stepping Stones (1 to 15)
1 is given • Fill in 2–8 • Trace 9–15
Step 1: Write Numbers 2 through 8 Practice writing neatly!
1 Start
Step 2: Trace Numbers 9 through 15 Trace carefully on the dots!
9 Trace
10 Trace
11 Trace
12 Trace
13 Trace
14 Trace
15 Trace
I can count, color, and write numbers 1 to 15!
Color your stars:
Cube Count Quest • Student Practice Page 2 of 2
Cube Count Quest Answer Key
Teacher Answer Key Cube Count Quest
Solutions & Scoring Guide (Page 1)
Total Points: 28 pts
Answers shown in bold red
1
Section 1: Big Cube Counts (4 pts)
1 pt each: numerical accuracy + correct orientation
1 Ten
1
Answer:
11 ✓
10 + 1 = 11
1 Ten
3
Answer:
13 ✓
10 + 3 = 13
1 Ten
2
Answer:
12 ✓
10 + 2 = 12
1 Ten
4
Answer:
14 ✓
10 + 4 = 14
2
Section 2: Number Trail Formation (6 pts)
1 pt per numeral properly formed and oriented
Target
10
10, 10
Tall sticks
Target
11
11, 11
Two straight
Target
12
12, 12
Flat base 2
Target
13
13, 13
No reverse 3
Target
14
14, 14
Cross bar
Target
15
15, 15
Hat on 5
Diagnostic Look-Fors on Page 1:
Ensure student uses top-to-bottom strokes. If student writes 51 instead of 15, refer back to the whiteboard mat: "The 10 stick stands first, so write the 1 first!"
Cube Count Quest • Teacher Key Page 1 of 2
2
Solutions & Scoring Guide (Page 2)
Sections 3, 4 & 5
3
Section 3: Color to Match Number (3 pts)
1 pt each: correct count colored + neatness bonus
Target: 15
10 and 5 more = 15
(1 cube left blank)
Target: 12
10 and 2 more = 12
(4 cubes left blank)
Target: 14
10 and 4 more = 14
(2 cubes left blank)
4
Section 4: Count & Circle MORE (4 pts)
2 pts per set: written numbers + correct circle
Set A: 11 vs 14 → 14 is MORE
10 + 1
11
Circled!
14
14 has 3 more ones than 11 (14 > 11)
Set B: 15 vs 12 → 15 is MORE
Circled!
15
10 + 2
12
15 has 3 more ones than 12 (15 > 12)
5
Section 5: Stepping Stones Key (14 pts)
1 pt each for 2–8 written & 9–15 traced
Step 1: Written Numbers (2 through 8) 7 Points Total
1
2 ✓
3 ✓
4 ✓
5 ✓
6 ✓
7 ✓
8 ✓
Step 2: Traced Numbers (9 through 15) 7 Points Total
9 ✓
10 ✓
11 ✓
12 ✓
13 ✓
14 ✓
15 ✓
Final Assessment Scorecard (28 Points Total) Benchmark: 23/28 pts (82%)
25–28 pts: Mastered
Fluent with 1–15; ready for numbers 16–20.
20–24 pts: Developing
Review formation of 12, 13, 15 on whiteboard.
<20 pts: Needs Support
Re-anchor with 10-stick physical touch & slide.
Cube Count Quest • Teacher Key Page 2 of 2
