Rainbow Skies for Teachers
Hey there, amazing teachers - this podcast is for YOU! Whether you’re just starting your teaching journey or you're a seasoned educator seeking inspiration, Rainbow Skies for Teachers is here to help you thrive in and out of the classroom.
We’re Ashleigh and Alisha, your enthusiastic hosts and co-founders of Rainbow Sky Creations. With 20+ years of combined experience in primary education, we’re dedicated to sharing practical advice, supercharged tips, and game-changing strategies to help you succeed as a teacher.
Whether it’s crafting engaging lessons or perfecting your classroom management, we’ve got your back. We're on a mission to lead an education revolution; one inspired teacher at a time….
There are rainbows ahead, and together, we're unstoppable!
You can follow us on Instagram or TikTok @rainbowskycreations
To discover more helpful tips + tricks for teachers, head to http://www.rainbowskycreations.com
Rainbow Skies for Teachers
144. Help! My Students Count Everything
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Want to help your students become faster, more confident mathematicians?
In this episode, we dive into one of the most powerful number skills you can teach in the early years: doubles and halving. These foundational strategies help students move beyond counting, build number fluency and free up valuable brainpower for more complex mathematical thinking.
Best of all? Learning doesn't have to feel like drill and practice.We're sharing our favourite hands-on activities, low-prep games and engaging classroom ideas that make doubles and halving fun, memorable and meaningful for students in Grades 1–3.
In this episode, we chat about:
- Why doubles and halving are high-impact skills for developing number fluency
- How these strategies support stronger mathematical thinking
- Fun classroom games like Spot the Number and Flip It and Doubling with Dice
- Ways to adapt activities for independent work, partner tasks or small-group challenges
- Simple ideas for sending math games home to reinforce learning with families
When students know their doubles and halves automatically, they're free to focus on solving bigger mathematical problems instead of using all their energy to count.
By making practice hands-on, playful and engaging, you're building strong number sense while helping students develop confidence that lasts well beyond the primary years.
Rainbows ahead,
Alisha and Ashleigh
Resources mentioned in this episode:
FREE Doubles Speedy Number booklet
Doubling and halving chatterboxes
Find more doubling lesson inspo on our blog
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