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5

Fluffy CloudsSetup: On a length of light blue

bulletin board paper, draw

ten cloud shapes and write a different number

from 1 to 10 on each cloud. Attach the paper

to a table (or place it on

the floor) and set a tub of

cotton balls nearby. A child reads a number and places a matching number of

cotton balls inside the cloud outline. She repeats the process

with the remaining clouds.

Happy FacesSetup: Set out white paper, colorful ink pads,

and markers. Help the child fold a sheet of paper to make

eight sections and write a different number

from 1 to 8 in each section. Then have him

make a matching number of fingerprints in

each section. To complete the activity, invite

him to draw a smiley face on each fingerprint.

If desired, have him cut the sections apart,

order them, and then staple them between two

construction paper covers.

To give this project a seasonal touch, students could make

the fingerprints apples or pumpkins in

the fall, holiday lights near Christmas, or bees in the spring.

Tip:

1

39

47

8

6

510

2

8

1

2

3

4

7

5

6

1

39

47

8

6

510

2

8

1

2

3

4

7

5

6

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4

A Colorful TailSetup: Prepare a large kite cutout similar to the one shown. Write each number from 1 to 10 on a blank card and each of several colorful plastic clothespins. Place the cards and the clothespins near the kite.

A child puts a card on the kite and names the number. The she clips the clothespins with matching numbers to the tail of the kite.

Plate PuzzlersSetup: On each of several paper plates, write a different number. Puzzle-cut the plates and put the pieces in a tub. A child dumps out the pieces and turns them so they are faceup. Then he arranges the pieces to form each plate. After all the plates are complete, he reads the number on each one.

For an easier version of this activity, write each number

on a different color of plate.

Tip:

8222

8222

5

5

55

5

5

5

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3

A Shape RaceSetup: Set out student copies of the

recording sheet on page 11 and

a container of attribute blocks

(only the squares and circles) or

shape cutouts.

A preschooler closes her eyes and

takes a shape. Then she opens her eyes,

identifies the shape, and colors the next

square in the row for that shape. She

continues in this manner until all the

spaces in one row are colored.

Numbers Here and There!

Setup: Set out objects with numbers

that we use every day. Examples

include timers, clocks, calculators,

rulers, calendars, and phones.

A child plays with and investigates

the objects to determine the many ways

people use numbers every day.

To extend the cen

ter,

provide number cards.

A child chooses

a number card and then lo

cates that

number on each object. H

e continues

with other number cards.

Tip:

0510

15

55

2025 30 35 40

4550

12 1234

5678

910

11

12

34

56

78

0+

+––

9

1 2 34 5 67 8 9

0=

+

-xM+

M-R-CM%

OFF C-CEON

Name___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A Shape RaceAlyssa

0510

15

55

2025 30 35 40

4550

12 1234

5678

910

11

12

34

56

78

0+

+––

9

1 2 34 5 67 8 9

0=

+

-xM+

M-R-CM%

OFF C-CEON

©The Mailbox®

2

A Shapely Masterpiece

Setup: Set out shape tracers, white crayons,

watercolor paints, paintbrushes, and sheets

of white construction paper.

A child chooses a shape tracer and names the

shape. Then he uses the white crayon to make

a desired number of tracings on his paper. He

repeats the process with the other tracers. To

complete the activity, he brushes one or more

colors of watercolor paint over his paper to reveal

his tracings.

Alike or Different?

Setup: Cut apart two copies of the shape

cards on page 10. Place the cards in

a pocket chart so they are facing away

from the viewer.

In turn, a preschooler turns over two cards.

If the cards are alike, she says, “Match!” and

removes the cards. If the cards are different,

she explains why they are different and then

she turns them over. Play continues until all

the matches are made.

For partners

One of the shapes

is a triangle and the

other is a circle.

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6

More Peas, Please!

Setup: Place green pom-poms (peas) in

a pot. Set a ladle and disposable

bowls nearby.

A youngster puts a scoop of peas in

each of two bowls. Then he counts the

peas in each bowl and compares the

peas to determine which bowl has more.

He puts the peas back in the pot. Then he

repeats the activity.

Slithering Snakes

Setup: Remove the face cards and aces from a deck of playing cards.

Place the remaining cards in a facedown stack near a tub of

linking cubes.

Each child, in turn, takes a card and reads the number. Then she

makes a snake with a matching number of cubes. The twosome

compares snakes to determine which snake has more cubes, which

snake has fewer cubes, or whether the snakes have the same number

of cubes.

For partne

rs

7

7

7

7

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8

Pipe Cleaner ComparisonsSetup: Cut colorful pieces of pipe cleaner into different lengths, making sure several pairs of them are the same. Place the pieces in a container. A student dumps the pipe cleaner

pieces on a tabletop and compares them, searching for the pairs that are the same length. As he works, he uses words such as shorter and longer.

Shorter or Longer?Setup: Place three objects on a table. Set a tub of other objects from the

classroom nearby. A youngster compares the objects in the tub to one of the objects on

the table. He finds an object that is shorter and one that is longer. He

arranges them in order from shortest to longest. He repeats the activity

with the other two objects.

GLUEGLUEGLUEGLUE

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9

A Worm GardenSetup: Cut brown pipe cleaners to

make a variety of lengths. Set

out the pipe cleaner pieces

(worms), sheets of light brown

construction paper, glue,

and crayons. A child chooses five worms. She

arranges them on her paper from

longest to shortest and then she glues

them down. To complete the activity,

she draws a garden scene above

the worms.

Uninvited Guests

Setup: Cut apart a copy of the picture

cards on page 12 and glue them

to a length of bulletin board paper

(picnic blanket). Set a tub of black

pom-poms (ants) nearby.

A youngster chooses two foods.

Beginning at one of the foods, she places a

line of ants on the blanket until she reaches

the other food. She counts the ants. She

repeats the process with other pairs of food

cards.

Chips

Chips

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7

Pattern Chains

Setup: Connect plastic links to make several pattern chains. Display the

chains and set a tub of links nearby.

A child chooses a chain and then connects links of the same color to

copy and extend the pattern. She repeats the process with other chains.

Polka-Dot Headwear

Setup: Set out colorful bingo daubers and long paper

strips (headbands). Get a stapler.

A student chooses two or three colors of daubers.

Beginning at the left side of a paper strip, he makes

prints to form a pattern. (Assist youngsters as needed.)

Then he repeats the pattern along the remaining portion

of the strip.

When the child has finished his pattern, size the strip

to fit the child’s head. Staple the strip and cut off any

excess.

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12

Picnic Food Cards

Use_with_“Uninvited_Guests”_on_page_9.

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Chips

11

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Note to the teacher: Use_with_“A_Shape_Race”_on_page_3.

Name________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A Shape Race

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10

Shape Cards

Use_with_“Alike_or_Different?”_on_page_2.

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