Using Quick Images as a Math Routine

Looking for a simple way to spark math discussions? Try adding Quick Images to your math routines repertoire.

📸 What Are Quick Images?

⏳ In Quick Images groups of objects are shown to students for just a few seconds. The goal is for students to quickly observe, process, and mentally picture what they see. When using numerical Quick Images this short glimpse encourages students to find efficient strategies for figuring out "how many"  - rather than counting one by one. When using geometric Quick Images students may be asked to build what they saw. After the image disappears, students describe what they saw and explain how they saw it. 

In Kindergarten - 2nd grade images may include:

• dot arrangements with numbers to 20
  
• ten frames or rekenrek (Counting: subitizing, numbers to 10, teen numbers, 2-digit numbers, Computation: count on, near doubles, making tens etc.)
  
• sets of nickels or dimes to build fluency in skip counting by fives and tens
• geoboard shapes
• shapes composed of several pattern blocks or tangram pieces (tans)

In 3rd - 5th grade images may include:

• more complex dot arrangements to build multiplicative reasoning
  
• base ten blocks 
• arrays
  
• multiplication ten frames
  
• rectangular prisms made from unit cubes  
• more complex pattern block, tangram or geoboard shapes

⚡How to Use Quick Images

1. Flash an image for 2-3 seconds. 👀
2. Flash the image again to allow students to confirm or revise their thinking. 
   
3. Ask students what they saw. 
   - What did you see?
   - How did you see it? 
   
4. Encourage multiple strategies and descriptions.
   
5. Reveal the image and discuss. Record ideas.
   
6. Repeat with several images during each session.  

👉 Once students are familiar with the routine printed card sets can be used for partner work in Math Centers.

Example:
Flash a ten frame with 8 dots.

• Some students might see 5 and 3.

• Others might see 6 and 2.

• Some may recognize double 3 and 2 more.

• Others may see 2 less than 10.

Why It Works

Quick Images promote:

• visual reasoning
  
• number flexibility
  
• mental math strategies
  
• math talk and reasoning explanations

Best of all - Quick Images are engaging for students and require minimal prep. Add Quick Images to your warm-up or transition time to keep math thinking alive every day!

👉 Get started tomorrow with the FREE samples below!

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RESOURCES

Looking for Quick Images resources? Listed below are some of the Quick Images available in our All Access Math Hub. Not yet a member? Click on the colored text below to download a sample set of Google Slides.

Quick Images to build numerical reasoning:

• 👉 Dot Flash 1-10
• Ten Frames 1-10
• Ten Frames 11-20
• Rekenrek and Ten Frame Flash: Count On 1, 2, or 3 
• Rekenrek Flash: Use Doubles 
• Rekenrek Flash: Make a Ten
• 👉 Multiplication Ten Frames: 9 Groups (2 Groups - 10 Groups available in the Hub)
• Multiplication Ten Frames (Groups of 2- Groups of 10)

Quick Images to build geometric and spatial reasoning:

• Pattern Block Shapes
• Geoboard Shapes
• Tangram Shapes