|
Numbers in a Jar:
Many of you will recall sorting and counting small objects
and coins stored in clear glass jars that your grandparents and parents had
around the house. Pull out those special jars out of the cupboard or
start some of your own collections and have fun with numbers!
Notes:
* Zero is represented by an empty jar.
* The larger dots under the number help children corroborate the
quantity to place in the jar.
* The small dots on the second writing line are the starting point to
write the number independently and allow for proper spacing and everyone will
write the same amount of numbers - 5 per line.
Suggestions:
Make sure children write practice writing their name in the top line.
Discuss with children how in the past and present jars are reused to store
small items. Try to have a real jar with the items to be used for the
activity.
Suggested Manipulatives:
Use small objects or try themed stickers that children can count and pretend to
place (paste) in the jar. Handwriting practice should follow the
counting activity.
Real or plastic coins, small toys (Lego blocks), dry beans,
buttons, large seeds (popping corn, sunflower seeds), nuts (acorns),
cereal (Cheerios and others), game chips, small paper-patterns,
foamies.
Candies and Treats counting theme: This theme adapts well
for many holidays and seasons. Select specific candies or sweet cereal.
Examples: jelly beans (spring),
candy corn (autumn & Halloween), tiny candy canes, small
marshmallows, peppermints (winter), fishy crackers (summer, ocean,
beach), animal shape crackers (jungle or zoo theme).
Teddy Bear Theme: purchase tiny teddy bear counters or mini teddy
bear cookies.
Nature items: small leaves, sea shells (ocean / summer theme), rocks or
pebbles, seeds (farm unit), acorns or small pine cones (autumn, trees theme).
Bugs: Children can make fingerprints with a washable ink pad to
make small bugs (ants, bees, ladybugs or spiders) inside the jar. The children
will draw the correct number of legs, eyes and antenna to the fingerprint
markings. This activity is particularly effective for number six (insects have
six legs) and eight (spiders have eight legs).
Picture Books - Counting: Use these worksheets with counting
books, such as Mouse
Count by Ellen Stoll Walsh. In this book a hungry snake collects
ten mice into a clear jar. Will ten mice be enough for the snake?
Encourage children to make their own small drawings inside the jar. Draw simple
pictures frequently in front of children so that they are comfortable with the
activity.
Practice simple addition and subtraction by adding or
removing objects before pasting them.
Use small marker stamps with
a washable ink pad to stamp a number of images.
Learning Shapes, Colors and Numbers
Have children draw a designated shape and color to represent the numeral. Have children draw or glue a certain number of shapes
in an specific color (paper cut-outs or
foamies) representing a number. Practice writing the numeral and/or
number word.
|
