A main focus in kindergarten is counting, which is the basis for understanding the number system and for almost all the number work in the primary grades. As students develop accurate counting strategies, they also build an understanding of how the numbers in the counting sequence are related. Young students develop their understanding of the operations of addition and subtractions by having many opportunities to count, visualize, model, solve and discuss different types of problems. Many of the counting activities in kindergarten lead to addition and subtraction.

In kindergarten, children use mathematical tools and representations to model and solve problems. They are beginning to learn how to represent their mathematical work on paper. Children in kindergarten work with patterns and geometric shapes. They learn to identify attributes of groups of objects and shapes, applying these skills to organizing data. They also learn to measure objects by direct comparison and by using object like cubes and craft sticks. Mathematics work in Kindergarten provides a strong foundation for other grades.

Changes for the 2009-2010 School Year
Some of the units listed below are supplemented with materials from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and Bridges in Mathematics to meet curricular gaps caused by changes in the State of Washington math standards. New curricula that strongly match the new standards are being piloted this year and are expected to be adopted and implemented in the fall of 2010.

Computational fluency in kindergarten
The computing skills that kindergarteners will learn and be able to do easily by the end of the year: Kindergarten Computation Strategies