This lesson is optional because it provides an opportunity for students to learn and practice how to form numbers 1–5, something that is often taught as part of handwriting or writing. Students will have significant opportunities to practice tracing and writing numbers in future centers and lessons.

In previous lessons, students used number names to identify quantities. They saw numbers written, but have not been asked to write any numbers. In this lesson, students write numbers 1–5. Writing numbers backwards (“reversals”) and incorrectly forming numbers is expected in kindergarten. With practice, it is important that students can write numbers that are recognizable. 

In addition to the activities in this lesson and the following lesson, students can also practice creating numbers with dough, tracing numbers in sand, or forming numbers with pipe cleaners. Crayons, colored pencils, markers, glue sticks, and paint brushes with water can be used to trace and write numbers to increase student engagement.