Counting Kickoff Tutoring Guide Lesson 1 Tutoring Guide 35 Minutes • Prerequisite Foundation
Counting Kickoff
Number Sense 1–15
1:1 Touch Counting & Numeral Writing
Objectives
Tag objects 1-to-1 without skipping; state cardinal total; write numerals 1–15 between Headline and Baseline.
Materials
15 loose snap cubes (various bright colors), counting track mat, mini whiteboard, marker, Counting Kickoff Worksheet.
Core Routine
"Touch & Slide": Move one cube at a time across the whiteboard line. Cardinality check: "How many altogether?"
Timed 35-Minute Foundational Progression
1
Rhythm Count & Choral Echo (0–5 min)
5 Minutes
Action: Tutor and student clap rhythmically and count forward from 1 to 15. Then do "Stop & Catch": tutor counts "1, 2, 3, 4..." and pauses; student says the next number. Reverse: count backward from 10 to 1.
Tutor Dialogue: "Listen to the beat: 1 (clap), 2 (clap), 3 (clap)... Say the number right when your hands touch. Let's make sure our mouth and hands match!"
2
Concrete 1:1 Routine: "Touch, Move & Park" (5–15 min)
10 Minutes
Setup: Draw a start box ("Parking Lot") and a finish box ("Garage") on the student's whiteboard. Place 12–15 loose cubes in the Parking Lot.
1. Touch & Slide Routine:
Student slides exactly ONE cube across the line into the Garage as they say each number aloud: "One... Two... Three..." Stop at 8, then 12, then 15.
2. Cardinality & Numeral Writing:
Ask: "How many cubes are parked in the Garage?" Ensure student states the final number without recounting. Have them write the digit on primary lines drawn on the board.
Why Touch & Slide Works: Physically separating counted items prevents double-counting or skipping objects.
3
Guided Worksheet: Dot Counting & Numeral Practice (15–27 min)
12 Minutes
Move to the Counting Kickoff Worksheet . Students use their pointer finger or pencil tip to tap illustrated tactile touch-dots on cubes, write numerals 1–8 with top-to-bottom formation strokes, and advance to 9–15 counts with Headline-Midline-Baseline ruling.
Lesson 1 • Counting Kickoff Tutor Guide Page 1 of 2
2
Foundational Formation, Cues & Checkpoints
Lesson 1 Diagnostic Key
4 "Mystery Scoop" Challenge 5 Min
Student scoops cubes with a cup. Dumps them out, organizes them in a straight line, touches each cube once to count, and writes the total number on their whiteboard.
5 Cardinality Exit Check 3 Min
Tutor asks student to count 14 cubes. After reaching 14, tutor asks: "Show me 14 cubes." Student indicates the whole group rather than pointing only to the last cube.
Primary Formation Prompts (Headline to Baseline)
Top to Bottom Strokes
1 & 2
1: "Straight line down from headline!"
3 & 4
3: "Around the tree to midline, and around again!"
5 & 6
5: "Down to midline, big tummy, give it a hat!"
7 & 8
7: "Across the sky, slide down from headline!"
Early Counting Misconceptions & Diagnostic Fixes
Observed Issue
Underlying Cause
Immediate Tutor Action
Double-tagging (saying two numbers for one cube)
Speech rhythm moves faster than hand motor control.
Slow down: hold student's finger gently to tap once per number word.
Recounting when asked "How many?"
Has not developed cardinality (last count equals total quantity).
Emphasize final number: "12, 13, FOURTEEN! That last number is our whole group: 14!"
Bottom-to-Top Letter/Numeral Writing
Lack of directional starting cue; starting from baseline.
Place green start dot at Headline: "Always start at the sky, pull down to the grass!"
Lesson 1 Mastery Checkpoint (Readiness for Lesson 2) Mark: S (Secure) • D (Developing) • N (Needs Practice)
1:1 Touch Counting Counts 1–15 objects accurately
Cardinality Understanding States total without recounting
Numeral Writing (1–15) Writes between Headline and Baseline
Lesson 1 • Counting Kickoff Tutor Guide Page 2 of 2
Counting Kickoff Worksheet Lesson 1 Practice Number Sense 1 to 15
Counting Kickoff
Name:
Date:
1
Touch & Count the Big Cubes (1 to 8)
Tap each white dot once • Write total on primary lines!
Touch Points:
Total:
Head Mid Base
Touch Points:
Total:
Head Mid Base
Touch Points:
Total:
Head Mid Base
Touch Points:
Total:
Head Mid Base
2
Numeral Formation Workshop (1 to 8)
Start at green dot on Headline • Pull down to Baseline
Digit 1
1
Digit 2
2
Digit 3
3
Digit 4
4
Digit 5
5
Digit 6
6
Digit 7
7
Digit 8
8
Lesson 1 • Counting Kickoff Practice Page 1 of 2
2
Advancing to Numbers 9 through 15
Touch each cube once • Form teen digits left-to-right
Numbers 9–15
3
Touch, Count & Write the Total (9 to 15)
Count left to right • State the cardinal total
Track A (Tap each dot):
Total:
Head Mid Base
Track B (Tap each dot):
Total:
Head Mid Base
Track C (Tap each dot):
Total:
Head Mid Base
Track D (Tap each dot):
Total:
Head Mid Base
4
Numeral Workshop (9 to 15)
Headline to Baseline • Tens digit first!
9
9
10
10
11
11
12
12
13
13
14
14
15
15
I can touch-count cubes and write numbers to 15!
Color stars:
Lesson 1 • Counting Kickoff Practice Page 2 of 2
Counting Kickoff Answer Key Teacher Answer Key Lesson 1 • Counting Kickoff
Solutions & Scoring Guide (Page 1)
Total Points: 23 pts
Answers shown in bold red
1
Section 1: 1:1 Touch Count Keys (4 pts)
1 pt each: correct count + fits on primary lines
Set A (4 cubes):
Total:
Head Mid Base
4
✓
Set B (6 cubes):
Total:
Head Mid Base
6
✓
Set C (7 cubes):
Total:
Head Mid Base
7
✓
Set D (8 cubes):
Total:
Head Mid Base
8
✓
2
Section 2: Formation Keys (1 to 8) (8 pts)
1 pt per digit: top-down stroke
Target: 1
1 ✓
Straight down
Target: 2
2 ✓
Flat base
Target: 3
3 ✓
Midline center
Target: 4
4 ✓
Cross at midline
Target: 5
5 ✓
Tummy on base
Target: 6
6 ✓
Loop touches base
Target: 7
7 ✓
Slanted leg
Target: 8
8 ✓
S-curve closed
Lesson 1 • Counting Kickoff Teacher Key Page 1 of 2
2
Solutions & Scoring Guide (Page 2)
Sections 3 & 4
3
Section 3: Track Count Solutions (4 pts)
1 pt each: cardinality count accuracy
Track A (9 yellow cubes):
Count: 9 cubes
9 ✓
Track B (10 blue + 1 yellow = 11 cubes):
Count: 11 cubes
11 ✓
Track C (10 blue + 3 green = 13 cubes):
Count: 13 cubes
13 ✓
Track D (10 blue + 5 rose = 15 cubes):
Count: 15 cubes
15 ✓
4
Section 4: Numeral Workshop Keys (9 to 15) (7 pts)
1 pt each: correct orientation & alignment
9
9 ✓
Circle + line
10
10 ✓
1 then 0
11
11 ✓
Parallel sticks
12
12 ✓
No reverse 2
13
13 ✓
No reverse 3
14
14 ✓
Cross at midline
15
15 ✓
1 then 5 (not 51)
Lesson 1 Assessment Scorecard (23 Points Total) Ready for Lesson 2: 19/23 pts (82%)
20–23 pts: Ready for Lesson 2
Solid 1:1 correspondence; ready to lock cubes into "Towers of 10".
16–19 pts: Emerging
Repeat "Touch & Slide" on whiteboard before moving to locked tens.
<16 pts: Needs Reinforcement
Focus strictly on quantities 1–10 with hand-over-hand touch pacing.
Lesson 1 • Counting Kickoff Teacher Key Page 2 of 2
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 on Headline-Midline-Baseline lines independently.
Materials
15 snap cubes per student (10 blue, 5 yellow), mini whiteboard & marker, Guided Worksheet & Independent 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" . Practice drawing three horizontal handwriting guides (top, dashed mid, bottom).
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: "Start at the headline, pull straight down to baseline!"
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
Guided Worksheet: Big Cubes & Comparison (15–25 min)
10 Minutes
Work through the Cube Count Quest Worksheet . Students count large snap cube towers, write totals inside authentic Headline • Midline • Baseline boxes, color giant cubes neatly inside borders, and compare quantities with guided support.
Cube Count Quest • Tutor Guide Page 1 of 2
2
Extended Independent Practice & Checkpoints
Solo Practice Arc
4 Extended Independent Practice 7 Min
Tutor introduces the Cube Count Independent Worksheet . Student works solo through 6 randomized mystery count problems, colors missing ones in the Number Builder, and completes comparison showdowns with no tutor prompts.
5 Solo Exit Check 3 Min
Student solves the two standalone exit check questions on Page 2 of the Independent Worksheet. Tutor records data on the rubric below to verify true mastery without scaffolding.
Handwriting Formation (Headline • Midline • Baseline)
Start at Headline • Sit on Baseline!
11
"From headline straight down to baseline twice—eleven looks so nice!"
12
"A one first; then curve to headline, slide past midline, flat on baseline—twelve!"
13
"Write the one, then curve to midline and curve to baseline—thirteen!"
14
"Down for one; down to midline, across, and headline-to-baseline—fourteen!"
15
"A one, then down to midline, curve to baseline, and headline hat—fifteen!"
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."
Floating or Sinking Below Baseline
Difficulty gauging spatial boundaries on primary ruling.
Use color cues: "Start at the blue Sky Headline and sit down right on the red Grass Baseline!"
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)
Guided Accuracy Counts 1–15 with guided support
Solo Independence Solves independent quest without prompts
Headline / Midline / Baseline Writes numbers neatly on primary lines
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 Total on Handwriting Lines
Touch each cube • Start at Headline, sit on Baseline!
1 Ten
Ones
Total:
Headline Midline Baseline
10 and 1 more = 11
1 Ten
Ones
Total:
Headline Midline Baseline
10 and 3 more = 13
1 Ten
Ones
Total:
Headline Midline Baseline
10 and 2 more = 12
1 Ten
Ones
Total:
Headline Midline Baseline
10 and 4 more = 14
2
Number Trail: Trace & Write on Primary Lines (10 to 15)
Sky Headline • Dashed Midline • Red Baseline
10
10
11
11
12
12
13
13
14
14
15
15
Cube Count Quest • Student Practice Page 1 of 2
2
Giant Cube Quest: Neat Coloring & Comparison
Color inside the big boxes • Write totals on primary guidelines
Numbers to 15
3
Color the Giant Cubes (Work on Neatness Inside the Lines!)
Color from bottom to top!
Color 15
10 Stick
Ones
10 and _____ more
Color 12
10 Stick
Ones
10 and _____ more
Color 14
10 Stick
Ones
10 and _____ more
4
Count, Write on Primary Lines, and Circle MORE
Write both totals, then circle the greater set
Set A Which tower has MORE cubes?
Set B Which tower has MORE cubes?
I can count, color, and compare numbers up 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: 17 pts
Answers shown in bold red
1
Section 1: Big Cube Counts & Primary Line Formation (4 pts)
1 pt each: correct count + fits Headline to Baseline
1 Ten
1
Total:
Headline Midline Baseline
11
✓
10 + 1 = 11
1 Ten
3
Total:
Headline Midline Baseline
13
✓
10 + 3 = 13
1 Ten
2
Total:
Headline Midline Baseline
12
✓
10 + 2 = 12
1 Ten
4
Total:
Headline Midline Baseline
14
✓
10 + 4 = 14
2
Section 2: Number Trail Formation Key (6 pts)
Starts at Headline • Sits on Baseline
Target
10
10, 10
Tall sticks
Target
11
11, 11
Two straight
Target
12
12, 12
Flat base 2
Target
13
13, 13
Midline curves
Target
14
14, 14
Midline cross
Target
15
15, 15
Hat on 5
Diagnostic Look-Fors on Primary Ruling:
Verify that the tens digit "1" starts at the blue Headline and pulls down straight to the red Baseline . For numbers 12 through 15, check that internal joints or crossbars anchor at the dashed Midline .
Cube Count Quest • Teacher Key Page 1 of 2
2
Solutions & Scoring Guide (Page 2)
Sections 3 & 4 Solutions
3
Section 3: Giant Cube Coloring Key (3 pts)
1 pt each: correct count + neat inside borders
Target: 15
10 and 5 more = 15 ✓
Target: 12
10 and 2 more = 12 ✓
Target: 14
10 and 4 more = 14 ✓
4
Section 4: Count & Circle MORE (4 pts)
2 pts per set: written numbers on primary lines + 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)
Final Assessment Scorecard (17 Points Total) Benchmark: 14/17 pts (82%)
15–17 pts: Mastered
Fluent with 1–15; ready for numbers 16–20.
12–14 pts: Developing
Review formation of 12, 13, 15 on whiteboard.
<12 pts: Needs Support
Re-anchor with 10-stick physical touch & slide.
Cube Count Quest • Teacher Key Page 2 of 2
Cube Count Independent Worksheet Solo Math Practice Numbers 10 to 15
Cube Count Independent Quest
Name:
Date:
1
Solo Count: Write Total on Primary Lines
Locked blue tower = 10 • Touch each loose cube!
Total:
Total:
Total:
Total:
Total:
0
Total:
2
Number Builder: Draw or Color the Extra Ones
Color the exact ones needed to match the number
13
= 10 blue and
15
= 10 blue and
Cube Count Independent Quest • Solo Practice Page 1 of 2
2
Comparison Showdown & Exit Check
Write totals on primary guidelines • Circle the greater group
Independent Mastery
3
Comparison Showdown: Count, Write & Circle MORE
Stay between Headline and Baseline!
Match 1:
10 + 4 ones
VS
10 + 1 one
Circle MORE
Match 2:
10 + 2 ones
VS
10 + 5 ones
Circle MORE
Match 3:
10 + 3 ones
VS
10 + 0 ones
Circle MORE
4
Solo Exit Check: Can You Do It Alone?
2 Quick Questions
1. Count 1 ten stick and 4 loose cubes. Write the number:
2. Which number is greater: 12 or 15? Write it here:
I completed my cube quest by myself!
My rating:
Cube Count Independent Quest • Solo Practice Page 2 of 2
Cube Count Independent Answers Teacher Answer Key Independent Practice
Solo Practice Solutions (Page 1)
Total Points: 15 pts
Answers shown in bold red
1
Part 1: Solo Count Solutions (6 pts)
1 pt each: correct numeral + placement on lines
10 + 2 ones
Answer:
12
✓
10 + 5 ones
Answer:
15
✓
10 + 1 one
Answer:
11
✓
10 + 4 ones
Answer:
14
✓
10 + 3 ones
Answer:
13
✓
10 + 0 ones
Answer:
10
✓
2
Part 2: Number Builder Keys (2 pts)
1 pt each: colors exact number of ones
13
= 10 + 3 ones
15
= 10 + 5 ones
Cube Count Independent Quest • Teacher Key Page 1 of 2
2
Solutions: Comparison Showdown & Exit Check
Parts 3 & 4
3
Part 3: Comparison Showdown Solutions (5 pts)
Written numbers + circled greater group
Match 1:
Circled: 14 ✓
14
IS MORE THAN
11
11
Match 2:
12
12
IS LESS THAN
Circled: 15 ✓
15
Match 3:
Circled: 13 ✓
13
IS MORE THAN
10
10
4
Part 4: Solo Exit Check Keys (2 pts)
1 pt per question
1. Count 1 ten stick and 4 loose cubes:
14 ✓
2. Which number is greater: 12 or 15?
15 ✓
Independent Practice Scorecard (15 Points Total) Independent Mastery: 12/15 pts (80%)
13–15 pts: Independent
Fully secure in counting and writing to 15 without tutor cues.
10–12 pts: Needs Monitoring
Check for occasional reversal on 12/15 or comparison errors.
<10 pts: Needs Reteaching
Return to concrete cubes + whiteboard routine in Lesson 2.
Cube Count Independent Quest • Teacher Key Page 2 of 2
