Our Subitizing Worksheets Promote Flexible Thinking

These differentiated subitizing worksheets partner purposefully with our Subitizing to 10 Teaching Slides, but they can also be used on their own to help your students learn to subitize to 10 in various ways. 

Two versions of this resource are provided so you can choose what works best for your students: 

Subitizing Worksheets: Students are shown a variety of dot arrangements and asked to circle four different groupings that they “see” as they subitize the dots. 

Subitizing Worksheets (With Equations): In addition to the dot arrangements, an equation below the dots proposes possible groupings. Students are asked to circle the dots based on this equation to help them begin to “see” a variety of groupings. This version is great for students who need a bit of scaffolding!

What Are the Two Types of Subitizing?

Many teachers are familiar with the concept of subitizing, but did you know there are two types? It’s true! For best results, give your students practice with both.

Perceptual Subitizing: Seeing up to five objects and instinctively and instantly knowing how many there are because the number of items is so small. 

Conceptual Subitizing: Subitizing by breaking down a larger number of objects into smaller sets (usually 5 and under) to mentally combine them together. 

This resource focuses on conceptual subitizing. Students “see” multiple smaller sets in their minds to help them subitize the larger set. At Teach Starter, we have resources to help your students with both methods! 

Quickly Download and Get Subitizing 

These subitizing worksheets are available in both easy-to-print PDF and Google Slides format. Click the drop-down arrow located on the download button to choose the option that works best for you. 

This resource was created by Brittany Kellogg, a teacher in Ohio and a Teach Starter collaborator.

More Subitizing Worksheets and Activities 

If you are looking for more subitizing resources for your kindergarten students, look no further! Some of our favorites are linked below. 

teaching resource

Subitizing to 10 Teaching Slides

Display our Subitizing to 10 Teaching Slides to encourage mathematical discussions in your classroom.

teaching resource

Subitizing "Construct-a-City" Activity

Help your students subitize to 5 and beyond with this hands-on subitizing activity for kindergarten.

teaching resource

Subitizing to 10 Interactive Task Cards

Practice subitizing to 10 with these varied and engaging interactive task cards.