NUMBER DAYS
Dedicate a Day of the week to math only!! What fun! We have NUMBER DAYS in our Classroom where we dedicate one day of the week to a particular number. For example we start off with the number five. (Many of these activities can be found in Math Their Way.)
Objectives: count, recognize, and sequence numbers, patterning, number families, one on one correspondence, number writing.
Materials: approx: 4x5 pieces of construction paper for each page. 1/2 sheet of unifix cube pattern recording, 1/2 sheet of bean toss recording , glue, crayons, number stamps or stickers, unifix cubes, two colored/sided counters, misc. items to count and glue.Activities for number days:(5)
1. Make and record unifix cube patterns using 5 unifix cubes.
2. Throw five two sided colored beans or counters and record the results. We throw 4 times (e.g., the counters are white on one side and red on the other. Toss them and you get 2 whites and 3 reds. Record the results)
3. Practice tracing and writing the number 5.
4. Count out 5 different objects and glue them to construction paper
examples of additional pages could include: macaroni, stickers, bingo dot markers, paper pattern block pieces, toothpicks, beans, tissue paper square flowers, pieces of yarn, sequins, buttons etc.
5. Sequencing: using number stamps or stickers the student stamps them in the correct
sequence on their paper.
6. For higher numbers you can use your clip art and make up pages for them.
example: draw or print out a picture of a tree. Have the student color the tree and then use crayons, sticky dots, dot markers, painted dots with q-tips etc to make apples on the apple tree.
Management:
I use free flowing stations for our number days. The activities take from 45 minutes to an hour and a half depending on how many stations you have and the children in your classroom. Here is an example of stations for a number 5 day.
1. Bean toss and recording.
2. Patterning
3. Tracing and writing the number 5
4. Glue on 5 pieces of macaroni to your 4x5 piece of construction paper.
5. Number stamps or stickers for sequencing
6. Glue on 5 pieces of yarn
7. Make a picture using 5 paper pattern blocks
8. Create a cover for your book by gluing an ellison cut-out to your paper and adding your name. Glue on, stick, paint etc. 5 things to your cover.
The students must show an adult ( Sometimes I have parent help) their page and count to 5. The pages are saved and compiled into a # book. These stations are free-flowing in that, the student completes a task and then moves on to another at their own rate. For those who finish early I provide magnetic numbers, felt numbers, flash cards and manipulatives etc. so that they can continue the math theme for the day. My students love these days. We pile their completed pages in their mailboxes. It is then simply matter of taking them out and stapling the pages together and they take home a completed number book the next day.
