MORE NUMBER SENSE IDEAS
USING ALL SENSES TO COUNT
using a pie tin and paper clips. The answer/number is: and they have to listen to the number of drops (clinks) of paper clips in the metal pie tin. Have a checker come up and count the number in the pie tin.
Use other props, balloons, puppetts, etc.
TEACHING EVEN ODD NUMBERS
Chant
0-2-4-6-8 Even numbers are great!
1-3-5-7-9 Odd numbers are mighty fine!
TEACHING ORDINAL NUMBERS
Take 5 colored cube blocks and a clear transparency from the copier supplies. Using clear scotch tape, I made a tube out of the transparency the right size for the blocks to slide in and out of.
The children watch me put one color cube in the clear tube and tell me that it is the first one to go in. I repeat it with the other 4 with the children saying "second, third, etc." Then I slide them out the other end so that the same color comes out first.
After a while, I slide them out in reverse order so that the children understand that it's the order that is important, not the blocks.
When they get really good at figuring this out, I do the same activity only using a paper towel tube so that they can't see the colored blocks once they are inside the tube.
MATH BOXES
Store items in plastic shoe boxes. Also set out plastic bowls, small cups, spoons, ice cube trays, plastic
100s board, small plates for the students to use with the boxes.
colored tongue depressors
colored popsicle sticks
colored dominoes
black dominoes
farm animals (2 or 3 different sets)
zoo animals
dinosaurs
2 colored counters
several boxes of different fishbowl rocks-like you find at dollar store
dogs
cats
pattern blocks (several boxes)
unifix (several boxes)
buttons
snap cubes
wooden inch cubes
ones blocks
large snap cubes
insects
Add new ones that go with thematic units (like ladybugs, frogs, pumpkins, etc)
Counting to 10 in Spanish
Tune: Clementine
Uno dos, tres cuatro (Oh my darling, Oh my darling)
cinco seis, siete ocho (Oh my darling, Clementine)
nueve diez this is how we (you are lost but not forgotten)
count in Spanish from 1 to 10 (dreadful sorry Clementine
ESTIMATION JAR
I send home an estimation jar with my students as one of my take home bag activities. Everyone gets 2
turns. The children fill the jar, count the items, and fill in the blanks on a class book that's included
with the jar. " _____(name) put ___(number) ____(item) in the jar. (e.g. Suzy put 87 paperclips
in the jar.) We estimate the number of items in the jar during our calendar time, count the actual number,
and then check the book to make sure we're correct. I really like doing it this way. I used to always do it
myself, too, but found this method much better!
MATH
I used to teach 1st grade and I used the calendar shapes each month from the
calendar. Instead of throwing them out (I used different ones each month) I
passed them out in random order to the class. I started the game by saying,"I
have 1, who has 2?" That person had to hold up their number and say, "I have 2,
who has 3?". You can make it more difficult by using higher numbers.
Also..."I have 3, who has 3+2?" "I have 5, who has 5-1?" there are all sorts of ideas
that come to mind.
FRACTIONS
For fractions, I bought graham cracker cookies and a can of cake frosting. I introduced materials and we talked about how nothing is eaten until I say so. We looked at the cookie, what could we see... It's cut in forths. First we talked about a whole, then we broke it in half, then forths. Then we frosted one forth, 2 forths, now it's half, then 3 forths, then 4 forths, now its a whole again. The lesson went great and some kids who were not getting it at all really got it. We are doing it again next week. I have 20 students and only needed 2 boxes and 1 can.
BAZOOKA BUBBLEGUM (a money song)
Ask any Girl Scout for tune
Chorus:
Bazooka-Zooka bubblegum
Bazooka-Zooka bubblegum
Instead, I bought some bubblegum
My mom gave me a penny
She said to buy a henny
I did not buy a henny
Instead, I bought some bubblegum
Chorus
My mom gave me a nickel
She said go buy a pickle
I did not buy a pickle
Instead, I bought some bubblegum
Chorus
My mom gave me a dime
She said go buy a lime
I did not buy a lime
Instead, I bought some bubblegum
Chorus
My mom gave me a quarter
She said to pay the porter
I did not pay the porter
Instead, I bought some bubblegum
Chorus
My mom gave me a dollar
She said to buy a collar
I did not buy a collar
Instead, I bought some bubblegum
Chorus
My Mom gave me a five
She said to stay alive
I did not stay alive
Instead, I choked on bubble gum
MONEY SONG and BOOK
"Christmas is coming,
The goose is getting fat.
Please put a penny in the Little Elf's hat!"
Run a picture of a little elf and change the word 'penny' to nickle, dime, quarter, half dollar and dollar. Have each child color one picture and laminate
them. Bind them into books that will have one of each coin named inside and put a small piece of velcro in each hat. Send them home in an envelope with a
baggie containing a penny, nickle, dime, quarter, half dollar and dollar with the opposite velcro piece on the coin. Children do not keep the book...just
borrow it. HOWEVER....it might be possible to make individual books with paper money pieces to slip into a slot cut in the hat......just a thought.
NUMBER FORMATION POEMS
A straight line 1 is fun
2 goes around and back to a railroad track
Around a tree and around a tree that's the way you make a three
Down and over, down some more that's the way you make a four
Fat old five goes down and around, put a flag on top and see what you've found
Down to a loop, six makes a hoop
Across the sky and down from heaven, that's the way to make a seven
You make an s but do not wait, go up again to make an 8
A loop and a line, that's the way to make a nine
A line and an oval see how easy it's been, that's how it goes when you make a 10
MATH GAMES
This is a game called "Count and Sit" and is a great game to \play when you have just a few minutes to kill or I often use it as a warm-up activity to begin our math time. We stand in a circle (me included) and I determine what skill we will practice. Quite often it's counting by 2's, 5's, or 10's. The leader of the day begins counting in the chosen way and then each child continues the counting in turn as we go clockwise around the circle. When we reach the pre-designated number (usually 100 if we count by 5's or 10's), the child who says 100 sits down. The next child then starts the counting again and it continues around the circle. We keep doing this until only 1 child is left standing and they are the winner for that round.
We have even played it just saying the alphabet and the person who says "z" has to sit down. Sometimes it's a sentence that they repeat one word at a time and the last word person sits down. Could also be used for days of the week, months of the year, etc.
"Number Ball":
I have taken a child's ball (about $1 at Wal-Mart) and used a permanent marker to divide it into many sections, each with a number from 0-10 in it. We stand in a circle, announce a name that we are going to gently bounce the ball to, then bounce it.
The designated child catches it, then looks to see which numbers their thumbs are on. They say these numbers, then say which is more and which is less. Then they say another child's name, bounce the ball to them, and sit down. Keep going until every child gets the ball. This can also be used for addition or subtraction of the two numbers under the thumbs. You could just use the number under the right thumb and tell if it's odd or even, or I have used it for place value: if the numbers under their thumbs are 3 and 7, the smallest number they can make is 37 and the largest number is 73. Older kids could use it for multiplication or fractions as well.
"Flip One":
Partners use a deck of cards with face cards and jokers
removed. Deal out all cards. This is played just like "War" with
each child flipping over a card and the highest card takes both. If
they tie, each child lays out 3 cards and flips the fourth to
determine the tie-breaker.
"Flip Two":
Play just like "Flip One", only each child flips two cards each time
and either add or subtract to determine who gets to keep the
card. Sometimes we use a "more or less spinner" to determine
which gets to keep the cards.
Cognitive Math Skills
Submitted by Betsy
I drew a large face of a boy on a sheet of poster board. At the bottom of it I put the name "Frank Freckles". Then I gave the children a bowl of buttons to use as freckles. The child rolls a large dice and whatever number shows up, that is the number of "freckles" he/she puts on Frank's face. My class loves this game!! It is a great way to get children to practice math skills.
AROUND THE WORLD
Around the World can be used for math - number recognition, addition, subtraction, etc - or language arts -sight words, alphabet recognition, etc. The kids begin in their regular seats. Student 1 stands behind Student 2. You show a flashcard for the desired skill. If student 1 answers correctly first, he/she moves behind the next student and repeat. If student 2 (the one who is sitting) gets it first, he/she moves to stand behind student 3, and student 1 sits in student 2's seat. They love to count how many seats they have moved from their own! I hope this makes sense - it's really very simple :-)
NUMBER POEMS
Number 1 is like a stick. A straight line down that's very quick!
For number 2 go right around Then make a line across the ground!
Go right around What will it be? Go round again to make a 3!
Down and over and down some more That's the way to make a 4!
Go down and around Then you stop Finish the 5 with a line on top!
Make a curve Then a loop There are no tricks to making a 6!
Across the sky and down from heaven That's the way to make a 7!
Make an "S" And then don't wait Go up again to make an 8!
Make a loop And then a line That's the way to make a 9!
Make a 1 and then an 0 10 are all your fingers you know!
NUMBER CARD GAME
early childhood game that helps with number recognition. Plus, an added benefit, it can be used to smooth a transition time.
You will need: Index cards, black felt tip marker and your entire class.
I played this game with my 4 and 5 year old children today and they loved it!
I made cards with the numbers 1 - 15, (I have 15 students in my class).
After shuffling the cards I gave each child a card. They then had to line up in number order based on the card they had. The first time we did the activity it required a little coaching on my part, like asking each time who had the next number. We played the game 3 times and by the 3rd time, all I had to do was shuffle and pass out cards, they knew just what to do next!"
The Fantastic Five (hold up the appropriate number of fingers and make the motions)
One, one, this is one.
Come on, one, let's have some fun.
Two, two, this is two.
Hopping, hopping, me and you.
Three, three, this is three.
Wave your branches like a tree.
Four, four, this is four.
Can you make us sweep the floor?
Five, five, this is five.
Squeeze us tight, then take a dive.
Guess the Number
Use a set of number cards to play this counting game with your little ones. During circle time have a volunteer pick a card from your hand and instruct him not to show it to the rest of the children. Direct him to select a set of students to stand in front of the group to match the number on his card, and assist him if necessary. Ask a seated volunteer to guess the number on the child's card. If he is correct, give the guesser the next turn to pick a card.
Housekeeping Counts:
Pair items in your housekeeping corner with number cards to provide lots of opportunities for little ones to match, sort, group and count.
Stock the shelves with empty food boxes. Label each of ten paper grocery bags with a different numeral from one to ten. Instruct a student to pick a bag and fill it with the correct number of boxes.
Fill a box with five of each of the following; paper plates, napkins, plastic forks, plastic spoons and paper cups. Have a child choose a number card from one to five, lay in the center of the table, and then set the table for the correct number of guest.
Hang a clothesline in your housekeeping center. Place baby or doll clothes, clothespins and the number cards inside a basket. Invite the children to hang a number card along with the matching number of clothing items on the line to "dry".
Up, Up, and Take-Away
Watch the excitement in your classroom soar when reinforcing subtraction skills with this approach. Attach an extra-long length of curling ribbon to each of five helium balloons. (Make the ribbons long enough so that your students can easily pull the balloons down from the ceiling.) Select one youngster to stand in front of the room, holding all five balloons. Have a student volunteer tell the youngster how many balloons to release. After the released balloons float to the ceiling, guide your class in verbalizing a correlating subtraction story such as, "Connie had five balloons, but two floated away. How many does she have left?" Repeat this process until all the children have had a chance to hold and release the balloons.
MATH MIX UP
This activity provides lots of opportunities for numeral sequencing as well as numeral writing. Have each child tear a piece of paper into ten pieces (adapt this number as desired). Have each child count to be sure that he has ten pieces; then direct him to write a different numeral from 1 to 10 on each piece. Next have each child arrange the numbered pieces in numerical order. Store each child's pieces in a different resealable plastic bag. When you need a five-minute filler or a math warm-up activity, have each child select a bag, shake up the pieces, and place them in numerical order.
Counting Tune
(sung to the tune of "Clementine")
One, two, three, four; five, six, seven;
Eight, nine, ten; come count with me.
We will count things all around us.
It's as easy as can be.
One, two, three, four; five, six, seven;
Eight, nine, ten; you do it too.
We like counting with each other.
We like counting; yes, we do.
SIMPLE PUZZLE
Purchase two identical vinyl placemats that display letters, numerals, characters, or seasonal designs. Cut apart one placemat to create individual pieces. Store the pieces in a zippered plastic bag; then clip the bag to the uncut
placemat. To do the activity, a child simply matches the pieces to the identical figures on the placemat.
CLINK CLANK
Collect a supply of lids from frozen-juice cans. Then decorate an empty coffee can as desired. Place the plastic top on the coffee can; then cut a slit in the top that is wide enough to accommodate a juice-can lid. Invite youngsters to fit the lids through the slot and to count as they hear the clanking sound of each lid hitting the bottom of the coffee can.
DICE GAME
place 2 dice in a baby food jar filled with water or kero syrup. They turn the jar upside down and add the numbers together.
odd and even
more and less
subtraction problems
bingo with 2
any type of yahtzee games
MUSICAL NUMBERS
Submitted by Jan
My class loves this fun way of learning to recognize their numbers. On the front of paper plates, I write all the numbers we have learned so far. (Make several sets). I then spread them all over the floor (usually in a circle around the room), number side down. Have all the children stand on top of a plate. As I play music, the children walk around the room, stepping from plate to plate. When the music stops, they stop on the plate, and pick it up. We then go around the room allowing each child to say the number they landed on. This could also be used to identify the number after/before the number landed on.
NUMBER LADDER JUMPING
This was a big hit with our 3 yr. old children! You could use it for the letter "L", numbers, etc. But we did it as a part of a community helpers theme as a fireman's ladder. Take some masking tape and tape a ladder form to the floor, with each
"step" about 1' apart. Put the numbers 1-10 on index cards with a magic marker and tape them in the upper left hand corner of the rung/step. Use flash cards to have the student draw (or hand them any number). They then have to jump "up the ladder" a step at a time, counting as they go, until they reach the number on their card. Students who are observing can help
with counting to reinforce their numbers.
FINGERPLAYS FOR LEARNING TO COUNT
I Can Count
You put one finger up
You put one finger down
You put one finger up
And you shake it all around
You give it a shakey-shakey
And you turn it all about
That's how you learn to count!
(continue singing about as many number as desired)
Learning to Count
One, two, three, and four (touch the tip of each finger of the right hand with the index finger of the left hand)
I can count even more.
Five, six, seven, eight. (touch the tip of each finger of the left hand with the index finger of the right hand)
My lady fingers stand up straight. (hold up eight fingers with thumbs against palms)
Nine and ten
Are my two thumb men. (hold up thumbs; fingers curled.)
SORTING
Collect lots of bottle top lids in a variety of colours and then put out
enough little containers so that there is one for each container. The
children can then take turns in sorting these into colour groups using
spoons, tongs,chopsticks for example to pick the up. Good for colour skills,
fine motor and early literacy skills.
"My Big Glass Jar":
A Number Song
Numeral recognition and counting skills come into play in this little
jingle. Program each of five large cards with a different numeral from 1 to
5. Provide a large, transparent glass jar and a supply of objects to use as
counters. Sing the first verse of the song. As you begin the second verse,
place the appropriate numeral card in the jar. Choose a child to place the
respective amount of counters in the jar. When the song is over, remove the
counters and the card; then repeat the process for each number.
(sung to the tune of "The Muffin Man")
Look and see my big glass jar,
My big glass jar, my big glass jar.
Look and see my big glass jar
As empty as can be.
Now I have the number one,
The number one, the number one.
Now I have the number one
In my big glass jar.
NUMBER REINFORCEMENT
Submitted by Diane
During play time, I set one of tables up with 5 snowmen which I
have laminated. Each has a black hat with a number (1-5) and the
corresponding number of dots for buttons. I then put out a dish of buttons
and they match up the number and place the buttons on the dots. I also put
out a mitten matching game. I laminated 11x 14 pieces of paper on which I
traced mittens and colored them in various colors. I made corresponding
mittens and they match them. Great for number and color reinforcement. I
also like to put out some "quiet" toys to keep our room "sane."
FISHING GAME
Supplies:
Dowel
Narrow Ribbon
Magnet
Juice Can Lids
I used a dowel (cut in half) and tied a piece of narrow fabric ribbon around one end and tied a magnet to the end of the ribbon ... to make a fishing pole. (I used string at first, but they kept tangling their lines, so the ribbon works a lot better.) Then I took a bunch of the juice lids and colored fish, shaped, letters, numbers, and their names on them. What they do is sit on the couch and fish into the carpet(water) and then identify the fish they caught (I caught an "L", or, I caught a red fish).
Number and Colors
Submitted by Verlona
We have been working on colors. One of the projects we are going to do is send home a piece of white construction paper. The children's "homework" is to find pictures of blue things in magazines or newspapers and cut and paste them on the paper. You can use all the colors. This could also be done with numbers. Find things that are one, two or three, etc...
The children in my classes love the idea of Homework, like big brother or sister. This also gets the child some one on one time or even family time.
NUMBER SONGS
Submitted by Carol
Tune: Mulberry Bush
1 - Go straight down and that is all,
Go straight down and that is all,
Go straight down and that is all,
To make the numeral 1.
2 - Curve around and go straight back,
Curve around and go straight back,
Curve around and go straight back,
To make the numeral 2.
3 - Half around and half again,
Half around and half again,
Half around and half again,
To make the numeral 3.
4 - Down across and down again,
Down across and down again,
Down across and down again,
To make the numeral 4.
5 - Across and down and half around,
Across and down and half around,
Across and down and half around,
To make the numeral 5.
6 - Curl around and touch the curl,
Curl around the touch the curl,
Curl around and touch the curl,
To make the numeral 6.
7 - Across and down diagonally,
Across and down diagonally,
Across and down diagonally,
To make the numeral 7.
8 - S around and go right back,
S around and go right back,
S around and go right back,
To make the numeral 8.
9 - Circle round and go straight down,
Circle round and go straight down,
Circle round and go straight down,
To make the numeral 9.
.........................................
Around we go with our hero
around we go with numeral zero
Down the slide, lots of fun . .
Now you've made the numeral one.
Around and back, go to the zoo
Now you've made the numeral two.
Around a tree, around a tree
Now you've made the numeral three
Down, over, down some more
Now you've made the numeral four
Down the street, dance some jive
Put on your hat with numeral five
Silly six stands on his head
Drinks some water then goes to bed.
Across the sky and down from heaven
That's the way to make a seven.
Eight makes and "s" but do not wait
go back up and close the gate
Make a loop and then a line
Now you've made the numeral nine.
................................................
Tune: Skip To My Lou
1:
Come straight down and that is all
Come straight down and that is all
Come straight down and that is all
To make the number one
2:
Swing it around and then go right
Swing it around and then go right
Swing it around and then go right
To make the number two
3:
Swing it around and then once more
Swing it around and then once more
Swing it around and then once more
To make the number three
4:
Down, slide, cut in two
Down, slide, cut in two
Down, slide, cut in two
To make the number four
5:
Down, around and put on a hat
Down, around and put on a hat
Down, around and put on a hat
To make the number five
6:
Come straight down and give it a curl
Come straight down and give it a curl
Come straight down and give it a curl
To make the number six
7:
Go to the right and then slant down
Go to the right and then slant down
Go to the right and then slant down
To make the number seven
8:
Make and "S" and then go home
Make and "S" and then go home
Make and "S" and then go home
To make the number eight
9:
Swing it around and come straight down
Swing it around and come straight down
Swing it around and come straight down
To make the number nine
NUMBER SONG
Submitted by Michele
0. Make a circle, be a hero that's the way to make a zero!
1. Just a line and then you're done that's the way to make a one!
2. Around and over, then you're through that's the way to make a two!
3. Around the tree, around the tree that's the way to make a three!
4. Down and over and down some more that's the way to make a four!
5. Down, around, put a hat on top!
6. Around and around until it sticks that's the way to make a six!
7. Across the sky and down from heaven that's the way to make a seven!
8. Make an S and close the gate that's the way to make an eight!
9. First a circle, then a line that's the way to make a nine!
SORTING IDEAS
Submitted by Nancy
Here is a fun sorting game to make. I can guarentee they will spend alot of time with this one. It is relaxing and a great learning experience at the same time. I found 8 different types of pasta, like bows, large shells, small shells, curly, hollow tub kind large and small. Anyways 8 different kinds of different sizes. The same amount of each kind.
I colored each kind a different color. I made a sorting tray for them. I used 8 containers (microwave square thick paper containers) and fastened them on a covered piece of cardboard(contact paper that was cute for kids) Iused brads, I put them through the container and cardboard. you could use any containers though that you choose. They have neat bowls of syrafoam now.They could sort the mac by shapes, or colors.Then when the containers are full, you can ask which container holds the most or least. It looks like the large shell mac has the most(or any large ones) Then count with them, they see the container with the small shells is the same, but it looks like less. They have fun just putting the pasta in the containers. They still love this. Even school age kids do this. It is a relaxing thing to do like playdough or sand. I have had it for 13 years, replacing just some of the pasta.
OPPOSITES
Submitted by Betty
SONG
Two little birds sitting on dad,
One named "Happy"
One named " Sad"
Fly away "Happy". ( Use voice to make it dramatic)
Fly away "Sad".
Come back, "Happy".
Come back, "Sad".
Two little birds
Sitting on a gate.
One named "Early"
One named "Late"
Fly away, "Early" (put thumb behind your back early!)
Fly away, "Late" ( let your thumb sit there a bit. Be dramatic! Make it act late!)
Come back, "Early" ( have the thumb back before you finish the line)
Come back, "Late" ( leave your thumb behind your back and keep calling him)
Why are you always so late? (have thumbs talk to each other)
Because that's my name.
Why are you always so early?
Because that's my name!
Money poems
Penny, penny,
Easily spent
Copper brown and worth one cent.
Nickel, nickel,
Thick and fat,
You're worth five cents.
I know that.
Dime, dime,
Little and thin,
I remember,
You're worth ten.
Quarter, quarter
Big and bold,
You're worth twenty-five
I am told!
Teach the following rap:
Pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters.
Pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters.
Well a penny is one and a nickel is five,
A dime is worth ten and a quarter twenty-five.
Pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters.
Pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters.
Pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters.
Pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters.
Five pennies make a nickel,
Two nickels make a dime.
Two dimes and a nickel
make a quarter and it's mine.
Pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters.
Carson Dellosa lovers-game
Submitted by Nancy
I just made a game off the a Carson Dellosa border. It is so easy and the kids love it.CD-1430 Multictural Kids with books. I cut each child a strip of (7) kids holding a book,each book a different color. One strip I started with orange and ended with orange, the next one I started with red, ended with red, the next blue etc.(there are seven colors so I have 7 strips) For the playing cards I cut between each kid. The pkgs comes with 12 3"X3" borders. It took 6 (half) to make this game. The pkgs cost 3.25. Cost of game 1.63. Time to make about 10 minutes. Keep kids busy for a long time. I find if I play the ganmes with the kids they play longer. I always play the first few times I introduce a new game. This game teaches colors, patience and it is easy and kids love it. I didn't even laminate it because it seems sturdy enough and cheap to make. If it wears out I'll make it again.
Object of the game and how to play.
Give each child a strip, this is there bingo card or board strip(whatever you want to call it)
Stack the playing cards facedown in the middle of the table. First child draws a card and puts it on his strip(like lotto). the next child takes a turn, etc. If they already have the card they put it in the discard pile facedown. First to fill the strip wins. Easy!!!!!!!!!!!!the strip is so cute and you get your multicultral in to. Enjoy, You can make this game with different strips for holidays or themes. www.tttools.com is the Carson Dellosa site. Reguest a atalog too and you can see and imagine different games. Create, it is fun.
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MORE SHAPES IDEAS
CUT IT OUT
Combine shape knowledge with scissor skills. Provide child with template of shape your class is studying. Child traces and cuts out several construction paper shapes. Let the child glue all her shapes on a long strip of construction paper to make a shape crown.
SHAPE HUNT
Submitted by Melody
The best time to do this activity is after their special classes (Art, Gym, etc)
Hide different sizes of a particular shape all around your classroom (circle, square, rectangle, oval, star)
Before your students enter the room, be waiting for them at the door.
Explain to the students that they are going on a shape hunt. Tell them that you have hidden (circles) all around the room and your job is to try and find no more than 5 circles. Remind them that there will be small size circles, medium size circles, and big size circles.
Once the student has found the circles, they are to come to the carpet.
Once they are at the carpet, I will ask the students to bring all their small circles and put it into a pile and continue on with the medium and large. After all circles have been put into piles, then we will count each pile. The teacher will write the number on the board. We then can figure out which has most and fewest.
Singin' About Shapes
Prior to teaching little ones this song, cut several shapes from different colors of construction paper. Laminate the shapes, if desired. Then, during circle time, hold up one shape at a time as the children join you in singing this song to the tune of "Skip to my Lou". Hold up a new shape each time our reach the last line of the song.
(Red, red circle), I see you.
(Red, red circle), I see you.
(Red, red circle), I see you.
(Green square), I see you, too!
Shapely Collages
Cut large versions of circles, triangles and squares from black construction paper. Then pre-cut various smaller sizes of the corresponding shapes from colorful construction paper. (A die-cutter will be helpful for this task). Mix up all the precut shapes and place them in the middle of the table. Invite each child to choose a black shape, then select matching colored shapes to glue onto his larger version. Display these attractive collages on a bulletin board with the title "Getting Into Shapes".
Floating Foam Shapes
Purchase several sheets of colorful craft foam from your local craft store. Cut various shapes from the foam and float these shapes in your water table. Alternately, cut the shapes from Styrofoam trays. Also provide containers in various shapes, such as square berry baskets or round nesting cups. Ask the children to sort the foam shapes into the corresponding shaped containers.
Shape Rubbings
To prepare for this activity, cut sheets of sandpaper into basic shapes, peel the paper off a supply of crayons, and gather a few clipboards.. Working with two or three children at a time, have each child choose a sandpaper shape. Use a piece of rolled masking tape to secure each child's shape to a clipboard. Then clip a sheet of white copy paper over the shape. Demonstrate how to rub the length of the crayon across the paper to make the shape "magically" appear. Continue with different crayon colors and shapes on the same or different paper.
Copycat
To reinforce shape recognition, play a game of Copycat with a youngster at your sand table. Make sure that the sand is damp; then use an unsharpened pencil to draw a geometric shape in the sand. Provide the child with a pencil and encourage him to copy the shape in the sand. As a challenge, have the child carefully observe you as you draw a shape; then wipe the shape away. Encourage him to draw the same shape in the sand.
SPOTLIGHTING SHAPES
In preparation for the game, tape cutouts of basic shapes around your classroom. Put some on the walls, some on the doors, and some on the floor, and even some on the ceiling. Then darken the room somewhat and give a flashlight to a child. Have him shine the light on a shape and identify the shape. Then have him shine the flashlight beam on shapes that match the one
he originally identified. After a while, have the student pass the flashlight to another student, and repeat the process until each child has had a turn. Vary the routine, if desired, by calling out the names of shapes one after another as the student holding the flashlight illuminates a shape to match each one you named.
Circle Shape Puppet
1 large construction paper circle and 4 small circles, 2 6-in. strips of paper and 2 4-in. strips, markers, popsicle stick, glue, pair of scissors. Fold strips like an accordian and glue on for arms and legs. Glue on small
circles for arms and feet, draw on a face and glue on a stick for a handle. (Try triangles, hearts and squares)
Circle Puppet, circle puppet, jump up high.
Circle Puppet, circle puppet, fly, fly, fly. .....bend down low, there you go./.....twirl around.
touch the ground.....hop, hop, hop, now you stop.
Red Square Red Square What do you see?
Submitted by Verlona
Red square sees a green circle looking at me
green circle sees a orange triangle
orange triangle sees a blue rectangle
blue rectangle sees a purple heart
purple heart sees a yellow star
yellow star sees a black diamond
black diamond sees _______ looking at me ( you add the child's name)
It is a great way for the children to work on shapes at home. Plus it is a great parent pleaser!!
SHAPE WALK
Submitted by Sandra
Set shape recognition to music with this adaptation of musical chairs. Have youngsters sit on the floor in a circle. To begin the game, have one youngster, the "walker," walk around the circle to a musical recording. Then stop the music, signaling the youngster to stop behind a classmate. That classmate then stands up and walks behind the first walker with his hands on his shoulders. Play continues in this manner with an additional student joining the walkers each time the music stops. Continue until one youngster is left seated. To reinforce shape recognition, seat the youngsters in a triangular, rectangular, or other configuration for the next round.
MAKING SHAPES
Submitted by Mel
Have the children sit in a circle. Give a ball of yarn to one child. Have the child hold the end of the string and roll the ball to another child. Have that child hold the yarn and pass it to a third. The third child then rolls it back to the original starting child. Have the children guess what shape it is. I use this for a opening activity to introduce my shape theme.
Flannel Board Shapes (Peek-A-Boo Shapes)
Cut shapes out of felt and put them on a flannel board. Point to each one and have all the children call out its name.Take the shapes off the board and tuck them under your leg. Have the children cover thie eyes. Put one shape on the board and say, " peek-a-boo, a shape for you". Let the children uncover their eyes while you're pointing at the shape. You and the children call out what it is. You repeat the name of the shape while tracing around the edge of it with your finger. Everyone clap. Repeat with the other shapes.
Songs and Fingerplays
Triangles...
(Jingle Bells)
Triangles, triangles,
Have three sides.
Triangles, triangles,
Have three sides.
You can draw big triangles
In the air,
It is fun to use your hands
And make them anywhere.
Triangle Tracks...
On the floor, make several triangles with masking tape in the block area.
Tell the children it is a race track and they must keep their cars and
trucks inside the lines. I use this for the block area.
One Blue Square...
(Three Blind Mice)
One blue square, one blue square,
See how it's shaped, see how it's shaped.
Four big corners it does have,
Four big corners it does have.
One blue square, one blue square.
Square Song...
(Mickey Mouse Club Theme Song)
S - Q - U -
A - R - E,
All squares have four sides.
Shaped like blocks,
Or a slice of bread,
All four sides are the same.
One, two, three, four (spoken);
S - Q - U -
A - R - E,
Squares are e - a - sy.
Make A Shape...
(The Mulberry Bush)
This is the way we make a square,
Make a square, make a square,
This is the way we make a square,
So early in the mourning.
The Rolling Circle Song...
(Have You Ever Seen A Lassie?)
Have you ever seen a circle, a circle, a circle?
Have you ever seen a circle, which goes 'round and 'round?
It rolls this way and that way,
And this way and that way.
Have you ever seen a circle, which goes 'round and 'round?
Red Shapes Hokey Pokey...
(Hokey Pokey)
Put a red (name of shape) in,
Put a red (name of shape) in,
Put a red (name of shape) in,
And shake it all about.
Do the hokey pokey
And turn yourself around-
Shapes What About You...
I am a circle;
Here's what I can do.
I can roll around.
How about you?
I am a square
So perfectly true.
I am the same length on four sides.
How about you?
I am a rectangle
With four sides too!
But I can be short or tall.
What about you?
I am a triangle
With only three sides.
But I can stand on any one.
How about you?
It's A Rectangle...
(B-I-N-G-O)
There is a shape that has four sides,
But it is not a square...No!
It's a rectangle;
It's a rectangle;
It's a rectangle;
It is not like a square...No!
Two sides are long; two sides are short.
They are not the same...No!
It's a rectangle;
It's a rectangle;
It's a rectangle;
The sides are not the same...No!
(Hold up a square when mentioned and then hold up rectangle.)
SHAPES THEME
Submitted by Lisa
Shape Snacks
Circle Day - sliced bananas, grapes, scoop of ice cream, Ritz crackers, muffins, cookies, sandwich made on round bread.
Triangle Day - triangular chips, cheese slices cut into triangles, triangular crackers, ice cream cones, sandwich cut into triangles
Square Day - cheese cubes, crackers, rice krispie squares, sandwiches cut into squares,
Rectangle Day - celery sticks, carrot sticks, rectangular crackers, granola bars, sandwich cut into strips. Apple Sailboat Snack
The children make apple sailboats from an apple slice, a triangular piece of cheese, and a toothpick. Eat for snack.
Games/activities:
1. Put shape blocks (or attribute blocks) in a bag. Child puts hand in the bag and picks a shape. The child attempts to identify the shape without looking at it. Have them justify the guess before removing the shape from the bag.
2. Put shapes in bag. Instruct child to find a ________ without looking.
Again have them tell why they think the shape they have is the correct one.
3. Give each child a shape -- shapes could be clothes pinned to the child or on a piece of yarn (or put a shape on each table). Give instructions related to the shape -- circles stand up, triangles hop, rectangles crawl under the table and the favorite -- squares get ON the table. etc.!
4. Hide a shape in your hand, give clues (one at a time) and have the children guess/tell what the shape is/could be. (ex. the shape has straight sides, there are 4 sides, 2 or short and 2 or long).
5. Use shapes to make patterns on paper or in pocket charts. Children practice the names of the shapes by reading the pattern (circle, triangle, circle, triangle).
6. Put toothpicks on the table and instruct them to make various shapes (ask them to make a circle and see how many actually try!)
Shape books
Secret Birthday Message/Carle
Tana Hoban's books - photography
Ed Emberley's books - drawing techniques
Shape Walking
Cut out different shapes--circles, triangles, rectangles and squares--from foam about 3/4 inch thick. (This can be obtained from an upholstery shop.) Place them on the floor and have the kids "cross the river" only walking on triangles or squares or another specified shape. Cut from foam they can walk on them without ruining them--they should last for several years. Add to your set each year
Fine Motor Help
Cut out assorted shapes in sandpaper, about 4" down to 2" big. The kids place them under large white or manila construction paper and rub with the sides of crayons (without the paper). By overlapping the sandpaper shapes, and changing crayon colors, the kids can make beautiful shape collages.
THE SHAPE OF THINGS
What is a circle? What is round?
A quarter rolling on the ground.
A wheel is a circle, so is the moon,
A bottle cap, or a big balloon.
What is a square, with sides the same?
The wooden board for a checker game.
A slice of cheese, a TV screen,
A table napkin to keep you clean.
What is a rectangle, straight and tall?
The door that stands within your wall.
A dollar bill, a loaf of bread,
The mattress lying on your bed.
What is a triangle, with sides of three?
A piece of pie for you and me.
A musical triangle, ding, ding, ding,
A slice of pizza with everything!
These are the shapes seen everywhere:
A triangle, rectangle, circle, square.
If you look closely where you've been,
You'll surely see the shapes you're in!
THEMATIC ACTIVITIES
Have them go on a shape hunt to search for daycare items that have their
assigned shape. Later, let each group display the items they found.
Play a variation on Concentration by preparing eight or more index cards, each bearing a circle, square, rectangle, or triangle (each card should have a match). Lay the cards face down. Players take turns turning two cards over in an attempt to make a match. A player keeps the cards if they are the same shape and the player can correctly name it.
Books:
Pancakes, Crackers, and Pizza: A Book of Shapes by Marjorie Eberts
and Margaret Gisler, Children's Press
Shapes and Colors by Denise Lewis Patrick, Western
Shapes, Shapes, Shapes by Tana Hoban, Greenwillow
Learning shapes through the year
(from Clare Cherry's book, Creative Art for the Developing Child).
Sept.- Use art/easel paper cut into circles - explore round things (this could tie into an apples unit)
October- Use rectangular paper - help children find the corners Then return to round at the end of the month for pumpkin shapes
November - introduce pennant-shaped paper - help the children discover that pennants have points. Paint leaf shapes with many points. Towards the end of the month, return to circles for fruit shapes
(Thanksgiving)
December- Provide triangular shaped paper for Christmas Trees.
January - Use square shapes. Show the children that the sides are the same length on each side. Fold the squares into a cone and make snowflakes.
February - Continue with folding activities - make hearts
March - Diamond shapes, kites use this shape again in May for Japanese kite holiday.
April - Oval shapes - Paint giant eggs for Easter on egg shaped easel paper.
May - Scalloped circular shapes inspire children to make flowers.
June- Make long murals using crayons, chalk or collage materials.
July- use over-sized rectangles - make flags.
August - Have the children lay on butcher paper - trace the outline of their shapes. Let the children paint their paper shapes.
Shape Collage
Construction Paper &Magazines
Draw large shapes on construction paper. Have the children fill in the shapes using pictures cut from magazines Fill a circle with circular shapes etc.
Title: Shape Games
Submitted by Jean
First of all, you cut shapes out of cardboard or posterboard and punch a hole in the center of the shape. Then string a long piece of yarn ( 10'-15' ) though the hole of each shape and tie the yarn ends together. The children sit in a circle holding onto the yarn and you push the shapes to the next child as you all sing this song (to the tune of "Pop Goes the Weasel"):
Round and round the (triangle) goes
Pass it to your neighbor,
Where it stops nobody knows.
STOP!
Where's the (triangle)?
When you say "STOP" the children hold the shape they have in their hand and when you sing the next line, the children identify who has the (triangle). I plan on putting many shapes on the same yarn and singing about a different shape each time.
Title: Shape Monster Book
Submitted by Bobbi
On the cover; Shape Monster
Pages: Shape Monster, Shape Monster
Munch.munch, munch
How about a (color and shape) for your lunch?
last page: Shape monster, shape monster
munch, munch, munch
(Have all the shapes on this page with the monster licking his mouth)I used a Pacman type monster for this. At the end of the year, one of the girls made a Letter monster book for us to use with the same format. Both books have become favorites of my class this year already.
Title: MATH/SHAPE GAME
Submitted by Marilyn
I took a large piece of white oaktag and cut out a large circle. Then I divided that into four quarters. I put a different shape in each quarter. (green rectangle, red square, yellow circle and blue triangle. Then I drew matching shapes on pinch clothespins. I put the clothespins in a large box in a box and I have the children reach into the box, select a clothespin and then put it onto the oaktag circle. It is great for one-to-one correspondence, color recognition and shape recognition. I sing:
________ has found a shape,
_______ has found a shape,
Hi Ho, the Derrio, ____has found a shape.
_______has made a match,
________has made a match,
Hi Ho, the Derrio, _____has made a match!!
Title: RED HEART, RED HEART WHAT DO YOU SEE?
Submitted by: Carol Cann16@aol.com
Red heart, red heart what do you see?
I see a yellow triangle looking at me.
You add whatever shapes you want and make them what ever color you want. The children love this activity. Last year every child did one page and we put it together in book form and then added it to our library. The children not only knew their colors, but also their shapes. I had kids doing hexagon pentagon, octagon etc... (and they were K's)! |
