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Launch / Number Sense Routines

Explore our number sense routine resources - created and curated by our ALN Facilitators!

What is Launch?

Launch is how we use the first 5-15 minutes of our math block for purposeful, discussion-rich number sense routines in our classrooms. Launch is the vehicle for powerful instructional routines which are amplified through consistent exposure over time.  Launch helps to build and maintain a positive learning community that honors identity and cultivates student agency.

Supported by research, number sense routines:

  • Build flexibility with numbers
  • Deepen understanding of operations
  • Promote discourse
  • Address gaps in prior learning as well as foreshadow upcoming learning

Below you can download a selection of free resources we have developed across different types of launch routines, as well as our curated list of other excellent resources to support your Launch routines.

Looking for something more to support your Launch routines?

 All Learners Online has a searchable, constantly growing library of Launch resources! Our ALO Unlimited members have access to ALL of our Launch items. You can learn more about ALO here, and even create your own ALO Free account to access some of the Launch Library items. Ready to dive in? Purchase your ALO Unlimited account here for full access to all of our content libraries and professional development. 

 

 

LAUNCH PLANNING TEMPLATE

A great way to support your Launch routine is to plan how you want to use the first 5-15 minutes of our math block. Our team created this quick planning template to guide student learning for the mathematical concept you're covering. You can download the template here.

ALN Launch Planning Template Doc Screenshot

 

Visual Images

Visual images are powerful tools. Research suggests that there are parts of our brain that thinks about finger patterns when we do calculations. Visual images and models are essential in helping students to build their own conceptual understanding of important math concepts. Images also help create context, beauty, and enjoyment in the math that students are doing.

Estimation

Estimating is a skill connected to Number Sense that students must spend time developing. Often when asked to estimate students try to find the exact answer first or give wild guesses. Like many concepts and ideas, in order to help grow student use of estimation they must have multiple opportunities to estimate as well as opportunities to figure out a referent and be able to edit and change their estimates based on new information. As students grow their abilities to estimate their number sense is also strengthened.

Reasoning

Tasks that focus on reasoning typically have more than one answer or MANY answers. Often the answer is dependent upon the individuals reasoning about why they arrived at their solution. The focus is on the individual to provide appropriate reasoning for their thinking - convincing others of their ideas or thoughts. Like most things, reasoning must be developed through multiple exposures over time.

Number Strings

Number Strings/Problem Strings are powerful learning opportunities for students. Strings help students discover patterns and relationships as well as engage with the properties of operations in a way that helps them to understand the properties (even if they can’t name them). 

Typically strings start with an easier problem and build towards harder problems. In Number Talks these strings are done mentally. In Number Strings or Problem Strings students often are recording their thinking in a math journal. Mixing both types of strings throughout your instruction will help students become well rounded in their calculation skills. Discussing strategies for solving strings is a great way to expose students to different ways of thinking and sometimes new models for recording thinking.

Number Sense Routine Resources

Looking for additional resources to learn more about types of number sense routines? Check out this document to see a list of curated resources from ALN and other online resources to learn more about different number sense routines as you get started implementing Launch.

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