NyKK-5!

Submitted by: Charmaine Rudnicki

Earlier this school year, I had the privilege of working with fellow LRSD Kindergarten teachers and colleagues as we received the NyKK-5 teacher training in Montreal, Quebec.  This three-day workshop was a unique learning opportunity to discuss meaningful and engaging numeracy activities.  I am grateful that MAME supported me with funds through their Professional Development Fund.

NyKK-5 stands for “Numeracy Kit for Kindergarten 5-Year-Olds”.  The NyKK-5 kit comprises of activity cards and manipulatives that have been carefully chosen to address desired number sense skills through a targeted approach.  Throughout the training, we discussed how to address skills such as immediate quantity recognition, counting, number knowledge, non-verbal calculation, story problems, and daily whole class activities. The training emphasized the importance of play-based learning and that activities centered around number-sense skills should be purposeful and promote insightful questioning by the learner.

The manipulatives found in the kit are items often found in a Kindergarten classroom – dice, snap cubes, square tiles, two-sided counters, and opaque counters.  I was introduced to a new manipulative called “Peeples”, found on Amazon, which are referred to as “Little Nykks” in the kit.  They have quickly become a preferred manipulative of my students!  ("Peeples" are shown in the top left in the photo above).

It is rare to find opportunities that address specifically the needs of Kindergarten teachers and I am thankful that I participated in this engaging experience.  Thank you very much to MAME for supporting my request and my professional development.