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Foundations of Mathematical Thinking · Senior Infants

Active learning ideas

Looking Back at What We Learned

Active learning works especially well for Senior Infants when they revisit foundational maths concepts because movement and discussion reinforce memory and build confidence. Hands-on activities let children demonstrate skills they already know while correcting small misunderstandings through peer interaction and teacher guidance.

NCCA Curriculum SpecificationsNCCA: Primary - All Strands
30–45 minPairs → Whole Class4 activities

Activity 01

Gallery Walk45 min · Pairs

Gallery Walk: Favourite Maths Moments

Children create posters showing their favourite maths activity, like a counting game or shape drawing. Display posters around the room. Pairs visit each display, explain the activity to peers, and try it out briefly. Conclude with whole-class shares of new learnings.

What is your favourite maths activity from this year , can you show me how to do it?

Facilitation TipDuring Gallery Walk, place photos or real objects at child height so children can move freely and discuss without crowding.

What to look forPresent students with a collection of 5-10 small objects. Ask them to count the objects aloud and state the total number. Observe if they count accurately and can tell you the final number.

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Activity 02

Stations Rotation30 min · Whole Class

Maths Memory Chain: Counting and Adding

Sit in a circle. One child starts by counting five objects and adding two more, passing a beanbag. Next child repeats and adds their example. Continue until all contribute. Record the chain on chart paper for reference.

Can you count and add numbers , show me what you remember.

Facilitation TipFor Maths Memory Chain, have children stand in a circle to pass the counting forward smoothly and encourage clapping to mark each step.

What to look forGive each child a card with two small numbers (e.g., 3 and 2). Ask them to draw a picture showing how to add these numbers together and write the answer. Collect the cards to see their addition strategies.

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Activity 03

Stations Rotation35 min · Small Groups

Shape Showdown: Draw and Name

Provide drawing materials. Children draw three shapes from memory and label them. In small groups, they present drawings, name shapes, and sort by properties like sides or curves. Groups vote on the most creative shape story.

What shape can you draw and name for me?

Facilitation TipIn Shape Showdown, provide large sheets of paper and encourage children to trace real objects or their own hands to explore shape properties.

What to look forAsk students: 'What was your favourite maths activity this year? Can you show me how you did it?' Listen for their explanations and observe their ability to recall and demonstrate a mathematical process.

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Activity 04

Stations Rotation40 min · Pairs

Problem-Solving Replay: Everyday Challenges

Revisit unit problems with props like blocks or toys. Individually, children pick a problem, solve it, and explain steps to a partner. Partners ask one question to check understanding. Share one strong example per pair with the class.

What is your favourite maths activity from this year , can you show me how to do it?

Facilitation TipDuring Problem-Solving Replay, offer familiar classroom items like pencils or blocks to help children visualize and solve problems.

What to look forPresent students with a collection of 5-10 small objects. Ask them to count the objects aloud and state the total number. Observe if they count accurately and can tell you the final number.

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Templates

Templates that pair with these Foundations of Mathematical Thinking activities

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A few notes on teaching this unit

Experienced teachers approach this topic by balancing whole-group reflection with small-group or individual tasks to meet diverse needs. They avoid rushing through content and instead use guided questions to draw out children’s thinking and correct misunderstandings gently. Research shows that revisiting concepts in playful, low-pressure contexts strengthens retention and reduces maths anxiety in young learners.

Successful learning looks like children confidently counting aloud, explaining addition strategies, naming shapes accurately, and solving everyday problems without hesitation. They should share ideas with peers, use materials independently, and show pride in revisiting their favourite maths moments.


Watch Out for These Misconceptions

  • During Gallery Walk, watch for children who skip numbers or rush through counting while describing their favourite moments.

    Pause the walk and ask the child to recount with you slowly, pointing to each object as you go together. Encourage them to trace the numbers in the air with their finger to reinforce the sequence.

  • During Maths Memory Chain, watch for children who recount the whole set from one instead of building on the previous total.

    Model adding by saying 'I had 3, now I add 2 more, so 3 and 2 is 5' while touching the objects. Invite the child to repeat the process with you using counters.

  • During Shape Showdown, watch for children who draw only perfect circles or squares, ignoring irregular shapes.

    Provide a basket of mixed shapes, including irregular ones, and ask the child to sort them by corners. Praise their attempts and ask them to explain why a shape belongs in a group.


Methods used in this brief