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Skip counting strips: by 2s, 5s and 10s (free printable)

Three rows for counting by 2, 5 and 10, twelve multiples in each, in tinted cells. Choose the steps you teach, from 2 to 100, then print, cut and tape.

Printed on the sheet. Leave it empty to write by hand.
As many as fit on a page, then more pages.
Any whole numbers from 2 to 100.
Colour
Skip Counting, page 1Skip CountingCount by224681012141618202224Count by551015202530354045505560Count by10102030405060708090100110120Count by224681012141618202224Count by551015202530354045505560Count by10102030405060708090100110120Cut along the dashed lines and tape the strip to a desk.

To save a PDF, choose Print, then “Save as PDF” as the printer. Only the sheet prints.

About this sheet

Skip counting is where counting turns into multiplication: when a child can count by fives to sixty, they already know the five times table. A desk strip puts the sequence in view while it is still being learned. Each strip has a row for each step you choose, labeled Count by 5, with twelve multiples in alternating tinted cells. The default is the three most taught, twos, fives and tens, and you can set any steps from two to a hundred, up to six rows. Print on card stock, cut along the dashed outline and tape to desks, or put a set in a math center. A child touches each number while chanting, and the rhythm of the chant does the remembering.

Grades: 1, 2, 3. Best in: October, November, December, January.

How to use it

  1. Type the steps you want, one per line, such as 2, 5, 10 or 3, 4, 6. Set how many strips to print.
  2. Print on card stock, cut along the dashed outline and tape a strip to each desk or put a set in the math center.
  3. Chant together: touch each cell and say the number. Then cover a cell and ask the class to say the missing one.

Five ideas for class

  1. Chant each row to a steady beat, clapping on each number, and have the class say the last number alone as a goal to reach.
  2. Cover a number with a sticky note and ask which number is missing. Count by the step in your head to find it.
  3. Highlight the multiples of five on the number strip and compare with the row for fives, so children see that both are the same numbers.
  4. Link to the multiplication chart: the row for fives is the same as the fives column of a times table.
  5. Use a row for a step that is not yet taught, such as 3, as a preview for a child who is ready to move ahead.

Related

Questions

Which steps should I teach first?

Twos, fives and tens, because they are the easiest to hear and the most useful for money and time. Threes and fours come later.

Can I print different steps for different students?

Yes. Change the steps in the box and print again. A student ready for threes and fours can have their own strip.

How is this related to multiplication?

Each cell is a multiple. The fifth cell of the row for fives is 25, which is 5 times 5. Counting by a step is repeated addition and multiplication at once.

How do I save it as a PDF?

Choose Print, then pick “Save as PDF” as the printer. Only the sheet prints: the page around it is hidden. You can also save a sheet as a PNG image under the preview.

Can I print it in black and white?

Yes. Switch to Black and white beside the sheet: fills turn white and lines turn black, so it saves ink and photocopies cleanly.

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