Knowing that numbers can be represented in different ways is key to building a strong foundation in number sense. Beyond the ability of identifying a number, is the understanding of each number as a quantity.

This catchy song by Jack Hartmann shows different ways numbers can be represented.

Model representing numbers in different ways

Demonstrate the following number representations:

Numeral
Word
Pictures
Tally Marks
Ordinal Number
Number Line
Ten Frame

Plus:

Coin Value
Clock
Before and After

Most of my kiddies quickly grasped these concepts, especially by the time we got to number 10.

A bulletin board with anchor charts showing ways to represent numbers.

We completed the chart as a class and then went on to complete a page from my Number Printing Practice resource which can be found in my TPT store or BP Shop. I introduced my Number Representation and Subitizing Cards as a center activity (TPT Store or BP Shop). Here’s a blog post with more information about the cards.