Creative Math Activity for preschoolers

Since I work in childcare, I know how frustrating it is to need an activity to do. Sometimes, no matter how creative we are, we wonder how we can keep coming up with idea after idea. I'm going to try to post weekly activities that I have come up with or that I have found and tried in class.

My first submission is a math activity that my class LOVES to do. The ages posted are just a general guideline. All activities can be adapted for younger or older groups.. as well as for different learning purposes.You will see as you read that the props in this activity can be used in a color teaching lesson as well. Once I get to work Monday, I will post some pictures of the props that go along with the story.

Subject: Creative Math

Concept: Children will observe and demonstrate an understanding of one to one correspondence.

Topic:  One to One Correspondence

Objectives:

1. Children will identify numbers by numeral.

2. Children will demonstrate knowledge of one to one correspondence.

3. Children will demonstrate knowledge of rote counting 1-10 and backwards from ten to one.

Materials:

·        Mouse Count by Ellen Stoll Walsh

·        A large Jar

·        Multicolored large Pompoms

·        2” strips of yarn, 1 per pompom that will be used

·        Small Foam numbers 1-10

·        Glue

·        Large Rock

·        Sock

·        Wiggly eyes

·        Red construction paper snake tongue

·        Hot glue to place wiggly eyes and construction paper (for use by teacher only)

Teacher Preparation: Make sure that all items are purchased (if necessary) or available for use. Teacher will need to construct a snake sock puppet using sock, wiggly eyes, and a red construction paper tongue. Read story the day before this activity is planned so children are familiar with the idea.

Activity: 

·        Let child choose a colored pomom, a number and a strip of yarn to make their “mouse”.

• Give children glue and have them attach yarn strip and number to pompom. Allow to dry before performing the story.
• Once dry, have children prepare for large/small group depending on size of class. This particlar activity needs no more than 10 children participating.
• Each child brings his/her “mouse” to the story area. Before the story, count how many mice are present in the “meadow”.
• Begin to read story with teacher acting the part of the snake (using the sock puppet) who collects the mice one by one and places them in his jar.
• At the end of the story, the mice free themselves and uncount themselves out of the jar. The child with the number 10 will find his/her mouse and “uncount” it from the jar, followed by child with 9, 8, etc.
• Place either in reading center or manipulatives so that children can access it throughout the week.

Development Objectives: This activity targets social and cognitive development. It targets social development by encouraging sharing and turn taking as well as having children work together in a group. It targets cognitive development by promoting one to one correspondence, knowledge of numerals 1-10, and counting numbers in a sequence. It also promotes cognitive by providing literacy awareness, vocabulary, and attention to print.

Learning Theory:Vygotsky's theory of development; Children learn best when they are actively engaged in the learning process. Learning and development occur when children interact with their environment and the people around them.

Evaluation: Were children able to identify numerals by sight? Did children demonstrate knowledge of one to one correspondence by correctly counting the mice? Could children rote count 1-10?

Follow-up Activity:  Encourage children to use this activity set to act out the story independently. Children can work alone, with a teacher, or with another student. (Colored pompom mice can also be used to create a color activity.)

(This was so cute, I had to include it! My class of two year olds loved it today!) Set up water table or a large bowl of water. In a separate bowl, have rubber ducks. Use a large foam die and have child roll for a number. Depending on number, the child places that many rubber ducks in the “pond”.

I'm not sure why my uploaded pics come out looking like this. I"ll try to fix it!