Classroom-tested and teacher-approved, the activities in Learn Every Day About Numbers are designed to help children ages 3 to 6 build a foundation for future math learning. This book offers 100 easy ways for teachers to make learning about numbers fun.   All the activities in the Learn Every Day Series were created by teachers.  Each activity features learning objectives, related vocabulary, related children’s books, list of materials needed, directions for preparations, instructions, and an assessment component. 

 

Take a sneak peak at two activities from Learn Every Day About Numbers:

 

Corduroy’s Pocket

 

Learning Objectives

The children will:

  1. Learn to recognize numbers.
  2. Learn to count actions to match a number

 

Materials

  • Corduroy’s Pocket by Don Freeman
  • Number cards for 1-5
  • Tagboard
  • Glue
  • Markers
  • Piece of corduroy fabric

 

Vocabulary

corduroy                     number names                      pocket

 

Preparation

  • Make number cards from 4” x 6” tagboard. Write the number 1-5.
  • Make a tagboard pocket at least 6” x 8”. Glue three edges together and write “Corduroy’s Pocket” on the front. Slip the number cards inside.

 

What To Do

  1. Read Corduroy’s Pocket  by Don Freeman to the children several times. Put a copy in the book are for the children to read independently.
  2. Show the pocket to the children. Invite a child to come and draw a number card out of “Corduroy’s pocket.” Ask the child to name the number on the card.
  3. Ask all the children to clap that number of times.
  4. Vary the actions with slapping their knees, snapping their fingers, patting their shoes, and so on.
  5. When the children are ready, use cards from 1-10.

 

Assessment

To assess the children’s learning, consider the following:

  • Show the children the set of number cards individually. Can the children name the cards when they are in random order?
  • Can the children choose a card, name the number, and clap the correct number of times?

 

Children’s Books

            Corduroy by Don Freeman

            My Little Counting Book by Roger Priddy

            A Pocket for Corduroy  by Don Freeman

 

 

Susan Oldham Hill, Lakeland, FL

 

The Numeral Song

 

Learning Objectives

The children will:

  1. Learn how to form numerals.
  2. Develop number recognition.

 

Materials

  • Recording of “The Numeral Song” from Sing to Learn with Dr. Jean
  • Tape or CD player
  • Oak tag
  • Copy paper
  • Marker or computer

 

Vocabulary

number names, to 10                        numeral

 

Preparation

  • Make a book with the lyrics from Dr. Jean’s “The Numeral Song.”
  • Write the numbers, one on each page, with arrows to illustrate the correct formation of each number from 1-10

What To Do

  1. Play a recording of “The Numeral Song.”
  2. Hold the book up so that all the children can see the number.
  3. Demonstrate how to make the number by tracing the number on the page.
  4. Encourage the children to draw the figures in the air with large strokes to help them practice writing numbers and remember the correct formation as you sing the song together.

 

Teacher-To-Teacher Tip

If “The Numeral Song” is not available, the Internet has several sites with rhymes to help the children write their numbers.

Assessment

To assess the children’s learning, consider the following:

  • Can children correctly form numbers?
  • Can children write numbers 1-10?

 

Children’s Books

Count and See by Tana Hoban

Fish E: A Book You Can Count On by Lois Ehlert

           Ten Black Dots by Donald Crews

 

Songs

            “Ten in the Bed”

            “This Old Man”

 

Jackie Wright, Enid, OK