Free Skip Counting Pattern Strips - Free Math Curriculum Helps

 

Free Printable Skip Counting Pattern Strips

Skip counting is such an important part of early math skills. But basic skip counting should go beyond the regular number patterns we're all used to - students should be able to skip count starting at any number.

If you teach kids the CONCEPT of skip counting and give them visual examples of what it looks like, then it's much easier for them to grasp repeated addition and multiplication and division in future lessons or grades. 

Learning to skip count the regular pattern (2, 4, 6, 8) is a perfect way to demonstrate how to count equal groups. But it is also important for learners to recognize number patterns and be able to skip count starting at any number. So if you say "skip count by two's starting from number 5", they should be able to visualize and count "5, 7, 9, 11...." and so on. 

This skill helps a LOT in solving tougher math problems throughout elementary and high school, and can really help kids develop strong number sense.

This freebie unit is made to help reinforce this skill. I have included a bunch of things here to help your learners practice:

• Skip counting strips for counting by 2's, 3'2, 4'2, 5's, 6's, 7's, 8's, 9's, 10's, 11's, and 12's. 
• Strips feature 2 regular pattern strips (eg 5, 10, 15, 20..) and two irregular number pattern strips (eg 2, 7, 12, 17...)
• Blank strips are included with 5, 10, and 12 spaces
• Blank strips are also included with some apples

Ways to Use Counting Strips

Laminate and reuse

One great way to use these strips is to make them into a sort of math center. You could laminate them and have kids write on them using dry erase pens, or you could put them into sheet protector sleeves.

Math Journals

Another great way to use these strips is inside kids' math journals. Simply cut out and glue the strips in (or have students do this) and have them fill in the pattern. You could also add questions above as I did, such as "What is the pattern? (+3 for skip counting by 3's)" and ask students to continue it.

On Screen

Another great way to use these strips would be on screens. You could display these on a TV or computer screen/projector and have students tell you the missing numbers out loud. This could be a great warmup before practicing these in a math journal. You could also have learners use a tablet and stylus to write in the missing numbers.

I really do hope you and your learners get good use out of these skip counting strips. Scroll down below for the link to this freebie!

YOU CAN GRAB THE SKIP COUNTING STRIPS FREE HERE (Google Drive download)

**Please be sure to share the link to THIS page, not the google drive link, when sharing my resources! It helps me keep track of how many people are using them, and how effective they are. Thanks so much!**