Subitising Active Brain Break

Looking for a little brain break before heading out to recess or lunch? Maybe while transitioning from one lesson to the next during a session. This subitising activity has students subitise a collection of dots and then perform that many of the displayed movement.

Movements included in the activity are:

• star jumps
• run in place
• jump forward
• dance
• jump up
• lunge
• squat
• reach up
• star stretch
• twirl.

To play, display the presentation on a screen for all students to see. Have them hold up fingers or call out their answers. Once the correct answer has been said, have students perform that many of the action while counting out loud together.

Through this activity, students will show they can subitise small collections of objects and perform various movements.

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding 

A team of dedicated, experienced educators created this resource to support your maths lessons. 

If you have a mixture of above and below-level learners, check out these suggestions for keeping students on track with the concepts: 

🆘 Support Struggling Students

Help students who need help understanding the concepts by counting the objects on the first few slides.

➕ Challenge Fast Finishers

Have more capable students double the amount displayed on the screen.

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the PowerPoint or Google Slides version of this resource.

This resource was created by Kendall Britnell, a Teach Starter Collaborator.

More Subitising Resources

More subitising resources.

teaching resource

Virtual Subitising Card Deck

Display these virtual subitising cards to teach your students to instantly recognise quantities.

teaching resource

1-5 Subitising Cards — Memory Game

Use these subitising cards to help your students learn to quickly subitise numbers 1-5.

teaching resource

Subitise and Exercise

Get active with this subitise and exercise teaching brain break presentation.