Critter Count Teacher Guide Kindergarten Math 30 Minutes Total
Critter Count Safari: Teacher Guide
CCSS K.CC.B.4 & K.CC.A.3
Lesson Objective: Students will touch-and-count sets of 1 to 10 animal objects with 1-to-1 correspondence, demonstrate cardinality ("the last number said tells how many"), and accurately write the numeral total.
Materials Needed
10 counters/cubes per pair
Practice Sheets & Exit Tickets
Safari Center Mat & Task Cards
Pencils & dry-erase markers
Key Vocabulary
Touch & Count: One touch, one number.Total / How Many: The final count.Ten-Frame: 2 rows of 5 spots.
Success Criteria
• Touch each item exactly once
• Stop at the last item and state total
• Write the matching digit (1-10)
30-Minute Instructional Roadmap
0-5 min
Warm-Up
Safari Chant & The Touch-Count Rule
Hook students by displaying Slide 1. Lead the Safari Finger rhyme: "One touch, one word, count every bird!" Model pointing your finger to rhythmically count 5 fingers. Reinforce standard K.CC.B.4: we say one number name for each item.
5-15 min
Model
Interactive Modeling: Rows, Ten-Frames & Scattered Sets
Work through Slides 2-5. Line counting: Count 5 frogs left-to-right. Ask: "How many frogs in all? Five!" Emphasize that 5 is the total. Ten-frame arrangement: Count 8 bees filling top row (5) then bottom row (3). Scattered strategy: Model using a "check mark" or counter to count 10 scattered ladybugs without skipping or double-counting.
15-25 min
Practice
Safari Field Work & Hands-On Center Station
Option A: Students complete the Practice Worksheet . Option B / Math Centers: Small groups rotate to the Safari Center Mat , draw Animal Task Cards, build matching quantities with counters in the 10-frame, and write the total with dry-erase markers.
25-30 min
Check
Exit Ticket & Cardinality Debrief
Collect independent feedback using the 2-question Critter Count Exit Ticket (5 mins). Wrap up with a quick call-and-response: "If we count 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 monkeys... how many monkeys are swinging?" (7!). Collect papers for formative assessment.
Common Misconceptions & Fixes
Recounting upon asking: Prompt: "Remember the counting rule: the very last number you said is the whole group's total!" Speed finger racing: Mouth counts faster than finger touches. Teach: "Touch, hold, say number, move." Numeral reversals: Reversing 3, 5, or 7. Use the Number Track on the Center Mat.
Differentiation & Centers
Intervention Station: Pair struggling learners at the Safari Center Mat. Have them place physical unifix cubes directly over animal cards before filling the ten-frame.Partner Center Play: Partner 1 picks a card and builds the ten-frame; Partner 2 counts and writes the numeral total.Extension: Challenge students to build "1 more" or "1 less" on the ten-frame. Critter Count Presentation Slides Kindergarten Math Safari
30-Minute Adventure
🦁 🐸 🐝 🐞 🐒
Critter Count Safari!
Let's touch, count objects from 1 to 10, and write the total!
1. Touch Each One
•
2. Say One Number
•
3. Write the Total
The 3 Safari Counting Rules
Rulebook
1
One Touch
Point your safari finger and touch each animal only once!
👆
2
One Name
Say one number name as you touch each critter: 1, 2, 3...
🗣️
3
The Last Number
The last number you say tells you how many in all!
🎯
Chant along: "Touch one, say one, count them till the job is done!"
Safari Pond • Row Counting
How Many Green Frogs?
Guided Practice 1
🐸
1
🐸
2
🐸
3
🐸
4
🐸
5
We counted 1, 2, 3, 4, 5! What is the total?
Write the Total:
5
Meadow Math • Ten-Frame Power
How Many Busy Bees?
Guided Practice 2
🐝 1
🐝 2
🐝 3
🐝 4
🐝 5
🐝 6
🐝 7
🐝 8
empty
empty
5 on top + 3 on the bottom. The last number counted is 8!
Write the Total:
8
Safari Detective • Scattered Sets
Strategy: Mark Each One as You Count!
Strategy Pro
🐞 #1 ✓
🐞 #2 ✓
🐞 #3 ✓
🐞 #4 ✓
🐞 #5 ✓
🐞 #6 ✓
🐞 #7 ✓
🐞 #8 ✓
🐞 #9 ✓
🐞 #10 ✓
Put a pencil check on each critter so you don't double count! Total is 10!
Write the Total:
10
Number Writing Chart
Writing the Total (1 to 10)
Number Master
1
● one
2
●● two
3
●●● three
Critter Count Practice Worksheet Safari Field Work: Critter Count
Trail 1 • Touch, count, and write how many in all!
Name:
Date:
Directions: Touch each animal once. Say the number. Write the total in the Safari Badge!
CCSS K.CC.4
1
🦁
🦁
🦁
Total Lions write numeral
2
🦜
🦜
🦜
🦜
🦜
🦜
Total Birds write numeral
3
🐘
🐘
🐘
🐘
Total Elephants write numeral
4
🐒 🐒 🐒 🐒 🐒
🐒 🐒
Total Monkeys write numeral
Touch dot under each animal to help you keep track! Page 1 of 2
Safari Field Work: Critter Count
Trail 2 • Ten-Frames and Scattered Critters
Explorer Badge Track
Strategy Tip: Put a little pencil check (✓) on each scattered animal so you do not recount it!
5
Ten-Frame Honeybees:
🐝
🐝
🐝
🐝
🐝
🐝
🐝
🐝
🐝
Total Bees write numeral
6
Scattered Turtles in the Pond:
🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢 🐢
Total Turtles write numeral
7
River Crocodiles:
🐊 🐊 🐊 🐊 🐊 🐊 🐊 🐊
Total Crocs write numeral
8
Meadow Ladybugs (Count all 10!):
🐞 🐞 🐞 🐞 🐞 🐞 🐞 🐞 🐞 🐞
Total Bugs write numeral
⭐
Safari Master Challenge! How many fingers do you have on both hands? Count them and whisper the total to your partner!
Safari Pro
Critter Count Exit Ticket Safari Exit Ticket: How Many Critters?
K.CC.B.4 • 5-Minute Check
Name:
Date:
1. Count the Giraffes: Touch each
🦒 🦒 🦒 🦒
Write Total:
2. Count the Parrots: Mark each
🦜 🦜 🦜 🦜 🦜 🦜 🦜
Write Total:
How confident do you feel counting 1-10?
😃 Got it! 🤔 Almost 🙋 Need help
Score: ___ / 2
CUT HERE (2 Half-Sheets)
Safari Exit Ticket: How Many Critters?
K.CC.B.4 • 5-Minute Check
Name:
Date:
1. Count the Giraffes: Touch each
🦒 🦒 🦒 🦒
Write Total:
2. Count the Parrots: Mark each
🦜 🦜 🦜 🦜 🦜 🦜 🦜
Write Total:
How confident do you feel counting 1-10?
😃 Got it! 🤔 Almost 🙋 Need help
Score: ___ / 2
Safari Count Center Activity Safari Center: Animal Count & Record
Count the 7 animal cards • Write each total numeral on paper!
Name:
Date:
Directions: Pick a Safari Card (A to G). Touch and count the animals. Write the total numeral in the matching box! 7 Animals
A
Lions 🦁 Write total:
B
Zebras 🦓 Write total:
C
Hippos 🦛 Write total:
D
Giraffes 🦒 Write total:
E
Elephants 🐘 Write total:
F
Honeybees 🐝 Write total:
G
Ladybugs 🐞 Write total:
Safari Star Checklist
Counted all 7 cards?
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
7 of 7 Done!
🌟 Great job, Explorer! Hand your recording sheet to your teacher.
7 Animals • Page 1
Safari Animal Counting Cards (Cut Out 7 Cards)
Teacher: Cut along dashed borders. Laminate for classroom center use.
7 Cards • Quantities 1–10
Card A Lions
🦁
🦁
Touch dots • Write total in Box A
Card B Zebras
🦓
🦓
🦓
🦓
Touch dots • Write total in Box B
Card C Hippos
🦛
🦛
🦛
🦛
🦛
Touch dots • Write total in Box C
Card D Giraffes
🦒
🦒
🦒
🦒
🦒
🦒
Touch dots • Write total in Box D
Card E Elephants
🐘
🐘
🐘
🐘
🐘
🐘
🐘
Touch dots • Write total in Box E
Card F Honeybees
🐝
🐝
🐝
🐝
🐝
🐝
🐝
🐝
Touch dots • Write total in Box F
Card G Ladybugs (Full 10!)
🐞
🐞
🐞
🐞
🐞
🐞
🐞
🐞
🐞
🐞
Touch dots • Write total in Box G
Station Sign Cut & Display
🐾
Circle Count Teacher Guide Day 2 • Kindergarten Math 30 Minutes Total
Circle Count Builders: Teacher Guide
CCSS K.CC.A.3 & K.CC.B.4
Lesson Objective: Students will accurately form numerals 1 to 10 starting from the top and represent each numeral quantity by drawing organized circles in 5-groups and ten-frames.
Formation Cues
1: Come right down and you are done!2: Around and back on railroad track!3: Around a tree, around a tree!4: Down, over, down some more!5: Down, fat belly, put on a hat!
Circle Strategy
• 5-Group Rule: Draw 5 circles in the top row first.
• Extra circles: Go to the bottom row, left to right.
• Keep circles round and separated.
Materials Needed
Pencils & bingo daubers/crayons
Practice Worksheet (Trace & Draw)
Circle Draw Practice Sheet
Whiteboard & dry-erase marker
30-Minute Lesson Roadmap
0-5 min
Warm-Up
Air-Writing & Numeral Chants (Slides 1-3)
Hook students by establishing the cardinal handwriting rule: "Numbers always start at the top!" Lead the class in sky-writing digits 1 to 5 using whole-arm movements and rhythmic rhymes.
5-15 min
Model
Interactive Modeling: Drawing Circles in 5-Groups (Slides 4-6)
Model writing a numeral (e.g. 7), then prompt: "How do we represent 7 with circles?" Demonstrate filling the top row of a ten-frame with 5 neat circles, then placing 2 circles in the bottom row. Count each circle as you draw to reinforce 1-to-1 correspondence.
15-23 min
Practice
Guided Numeral Tracing & Independent Writing
Students complete the Circle Count Practice Worksheet. Page 1 covers numerals 1-5; Page 2 covers 6-10. Students trace the dotted model, write the numeral independently on handwriting lines, then draw the matching circles inside the ten-frames.
23-30 min
Extend
Additional Practice: Circle Draw & Count Mastery
Students transition to the Circle Draw Practice Worksheet . Part A challenges students to draw circle representations for given numbers (3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10); Part B challenges them to count pre-arranged circle ten-frames and write numeral totals.
Circle Count Presentation Slides Day 2 • Kindergarten Math
30-Minute Lesson
✏️ 🔴 🟡 🟢 🔵
Circle Count Builders!
Write numbers 1 to 10 and draw matching circles to represent each quantity!
1. Write the Number
•
2. Draw the Circles
•
3. Count to Double-Check
How to Write: Numbers 1 to 5
Always start at top!
1
Come straight down, and that is 1!
⬇️
2
Around & back on railroad track!
↪️
3
Around a tree, around a tree!
🔄
4
Down, across, down some more!
➕
5
Down, fat belly, put on a hat!
🧢
Let's sky-write together! Put your finger high in the air!
How to Write: Numbers 6 to 10
Keep practicing!
6
Down we go and make a loop!
➰
7
Across the sky, slide down line!
📐
8
Make an S, do not wait, race to 8!
♾️
9
Make a circle, then a line!
🎈
10
A straight 1 and an oval 0!
🔟
Say it: "Top to bottom, smooth and neat!"
Representation Strategy
The 5-Group Circle Rule!
Organized Circles
Messy • Hard to count!
Circles scattered everywhere make us recount!
5-Group • Easy to see 7!
5 in the top row + 2 on the bottom = 7 circles!
Rule: Fill 5 circles in the top row first before moving to the next row!
Practice 1 • Write & Draw
Represent the Number 4
Let's Try Together
Step 1: Write Number 4
4
"Down, across, down once more!"
Step 2: Draw 4 Circles in Frame
Count aloud: 1, 2, 3, 4! Stop!
Does our written number match our drawn circles? Yes, both show 4!
Practice 2 • 5 and Some More
Represent the Number 7
Let's Try Together
Step 1: Write Number 7
7
"Across the sky, then slide down line!"
Step 2: Draw 7 Circles in Frame
Circle Count Practice Worksheet Circle Builders: Numbers 1 to 5
Trace, write the numeral, and draw matching circles!
Name:
Date:
Directions: 1. Trace the number. 2. Write it on the lines. 3. Draw that many circles in the frame! Part 1 (1–5)
1
Trace • Write:
1 •
Draw 1 Circle:
2
Trace • Write:
2 •
Draw 2 Circles:
3
Trace • Write:
3 •
Draw 3 Circles:
4
Trace • Write:
4 •
Draw 4 Circles:
5
Trace • Write:
5 •
Draw 5 Circles (Full Row!):
Circle Count Builders • CCSS K.CC.A.3 & K.CC.B.4 Page 1 of 2
Circle Builders: Numbers 6 to 10
Fill the top row (5), then draw more circles in the bottom row!
Part 2 (6–10)
5-Group Strategy: When the top row of 5 is full, start on the bottom row from left to right!
6
Trace • Write:
6 •
Draw 6 Circles (5 + 1):
7
Trace • Write:
7 •
Draw 7 Circles (5 + 2):
8
Trace • Write:
8 •
Draw 8 Circles (5 + 3):
9
Trace • Write:
9 •
Draw 9 Circles (5 + 4):
10
Trace • Write:
10 •
Draw 10 Circles (Full Ten-Frame!):
⭐ Mastery Check: Counted and represented all numbers 1 through 10!
Page 2 of 2
Circle Draw Practice Worksheet Circle Draw Practice: Part 1
Look at each number • Draw that many circles in the ten-frame!
Name:
Date:
Directions: Read the number. Draw neat circles to fill the frame. Remember: Fill 5 on top first! Part A
Problem 1
Number: 3
Draw 3 circles in the ten-frame:
Problem 2
Number: 5
Draw 5 circles (fill whole top row):
Problem 3
Number: 6
Draw 6 circles (5 on top + 1 below):
Problem 4
Number: 7
Draw 7 circles (5 on top + 2 below):
Problem 5
Number: 8
Draw 8 circles (5 on top + 3 below):
Problem 6
Number: 10
Draw 10 circles (fill every space!):
Circle Draw Practice • Part A: Drawing Circles Page 1 of 2
Circle Draw Practice: Part 2
Count the circles in each frame • Write the numeral total on the lines!
Part B
Directions: Touch and count each blue circle. Write the numeral total clearly inside the handwriting box!
Problem 7 Count the circles
Write Numeral:
Problem 8 Count the circles
Write Numeral:
Problem 9 Count the circles
Write Numeral:
Problem 10 Count the circles
Write Numeral:
Problem 11 Count the circles
Write Numeral:
Problem 12 Count the circles
Write Numeral:
⭐ Circle Master: Counted circle sets and accurately wrote numerals!
Page 2 of 2
One More Teacher Guide Day 3 • Kindergarten Math 30 Minutes Total
One More Steppers: Teacher Guide
CCSS K.CC.B.4c
Lesson Objective: Students will discover and explain that each successive number in the counting sequence (1 to 10) refers to a quantity that is exactly one larger (+1) by building number staircases and writing the resulting numerals.
The +1 Staircase
Each number tower steps up by exactly 1 cube ! 1 and 1 more is 2. 2 and 1 more is 3. 9 and 1 more is 10.
Successive Order
Counting is not just singing words—each next number means the group physically grew by one more object!
Materials Needed
Snap cubes / unifix cubes (15 per pair)
Practice Worksheet (2 pages)
Exit Ticket (half-sheet)
Crayons & pencils
30-Minute Instructional Roadmap
0-5 min
Warm-Up
Building the Mystery Staircase (Slide 1-2)
Start with a tower of 1 cube. Ask: "How do we make the next tower? We snap on ONE MORE!" Build a staircase from 1 to 5. Lead the chorus: "Add one more, step right up!" Connect standard K.CC.B.4c.
5-15 min
Model
Interactive Modeling: The '+1 Rule' up to 10 (Slides 3-6)
Work through Slides 3-6. Show that 4 birds sitting on a wire + 1 joining = 5 birds. Show 9 monkeys + 1 swinging in = 10 monkeys! Model drawing 1 additional circle into a ten-frame and writing the new total.
15-25 min
Practice
Number Staircase Practice Worksheet
Students complete the One More Steppers Practice Worksheet . Page 1 asks students to color the staircase towers from 1 to 5 adding 1 cube each step; Page 2 extends the pattern from 6 to 10 and writes each new numeral total.
25-30 min
Check
Exit Ticket & Sequence Reflection
Administer the half-sheet Exit Ticket. Celebrate completion of the 3-day Safari Math Explorers unit! Students reflect on how much stronger their counting and number writing skills have grown.
Common Misconceptions & Fixes
Recounting from 1 every time: When shown a tower of 6 and asked "What is 1 more?", student counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Reinforce counting on: "We already know this is 6! One more makes... 7!" Confusion between number word and quantity: Use physical snap cubes of a contrasting color for the "+1" block.
Differentiation Strategies
One More Presentation Slides Day 3 • Kindergarten Math
30-Minute Adventure
🪜 🟦 🟩 🟨 🟧
One More Steppers!
Discover the "+1" pattern! Each number we count is exactly one more than the last!
Add 1 More
•
Step Up the Staircase
•
Write the Total
The Number Staircase: Towers 1 to 5
Step by Step
1
1 cube
2
+1
1 + 1
3
+1
2 + 1
4
+1
3 + 1
5
+1
4 + 1
Every step we take adds EXACTLY ONE MORE block!
Safari Story • Adding One
4 Birds Sitting... Then 1 More Lands!
Story 1
🦜🦜🦜🦜
4 Birds
🦜
1 More!
=
5
5 Birds!
Say it: "4 and 1 more is 5!" The next number in line tells the total!
Ten-Frame Step Up
7 Honeybees + 1 More Flies In!
Story 2
🐝
🐝
🐝
🐝
🐝
🐝
🐝
🐝 +1
We had 7 bees. Add 1 more: What is the new total?
8
7 and 1 more is 8! Write 8 on your paper!
Top of the Mountain
9 Ladybugs... Then 1 More Arrives!
Full Ten
🐞
🐞
🐞
🐞
🐞
🐞
🐞
🐞
🐞
🐞 +1
9 and 1 more fills the WHOLE ten-frame! Total:
10
9 and 1 more is 10! You climbed all the way to 10!
Fast Fingers
Quick Fire: What is 1 More?
Speed Count
Start with:
2
1 more is 3 !
Start with:
5
1 more is 6 !
Start with:
8
1 more is 9 !
Start with:
9
1 more is
One More Practice Worksheet One More Steppers: Part 1
Draw 1 more cube to step up the staircase • Write the new total!
Name:
Date:
Directions: Count the shaded blocks. Draw 1 MORE block on top. Count them all and write the new total! Part 1 (1–5)
1
1
Draw +1
Start with 1 cube. Draw 1 more cube on top!
1 and 1 more: write numeral
2
1
2
Draw +1
Start with 2 cubes. Draw 1 more cube on top!
2 and 1 more: write numeral
3
1
2
3
Draw +1
Start with 3 cubes. Draw 1 more cube on top!
3 and 1 more: write numeral
4
1
2
3
4
Draw +1
Start with 4 cubes. Draw 1 more cube on top!
4 and 1 more: write numeral
One More Steppers • Successive Cardinality (+1 Rule) Page 1 of 2
One More Steppers: Part 2
Add 1 more circle into the ten-frame • Write the new total up to 10!
Part 2 (6–10)
Strategy: Draw 1 more circle in the empty box. Say the next number! Write it in the badge!
5
5 circles + 1 MORE:
●
●
●
●
●
+1
Total:
6
6 circles + 1 MORE:
●
●
●
●
●
●
+1
Total:
7
7 circles + 1 MORE:
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
+1
Total:
8
8 circles + 1 MORE:
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
+1
Total:
9
9 circles + 1 MORE:
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
+1
Total:
🏆 Safari Math Explorer Graduate: Mastered Counting, Cardinality & Writing 1-10!
One More Exit Ticket Exit Ticket: The One More Pattern
K.CC.B.4c • 5-Minute Check
Name:
Date:
1. Tower of 4 Draw +1
4 and 1 more:
2. Frame of 7 Draw +1
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
7 and 1 more:
3. Quick Step Think & write
What number is ONE MORE than 9?
9 and 1 more:
I understand that each next number is one larger (+1):
😃 Mastered! 🤔 Almost
Score: ___ / 3
CUT HERE (2 Half-Sheets)
Exit Ticket: The One More Pattern
K.CC.B.4c • 5-Minute Check
Name:
Date:
1. Tower of 4 Draw +1
4 and 1 more:
2. Frame of 7 Draw +1
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
7 and 1 more:
3. Quick Step Think & write
What number is ONE MORE than 9?
9 and 1 more:
I understand that each next number is one larger (+1):
😃 Mastered! 🤔 Almost
Score: ___ / 3
