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Rafe Esquith: Five Tips to Help Children Develop Their Natural Gifts

#1417. Turkey Feather Count

Mathematics, level: Pre-School
Posted Sat Nov 27 19:25:20 PST 1999 by Eva Fisher (eefisher@access1.net).
Play and Learn, Collegeville, PA
Materials Required: Shoebox, 12 Craft Sticks, Paper Bag, Construction Paper
Activity Time: 10 Minutes or more!
Concepts Taught: Recognize Numbers, Counting

Using a shoe box I made a turkey counting box. We had a lot of fun using this. I did it in groups of 4 to 5 children. They helped each other count. I decorated a shoebox (directions below) and used craft sticks and number cards to play.

To Play:
The child will reach into the shoebox and pull out a card with a number on it. The child will say the number to the teacher. Then the child will count out the number using craft sticks. The child can insert each feather into a slot on the turkey's back.

Teacher Preparation: Take a shoebox and lid and tape lid on. Next cut up a brown paper bag to cover the box. Using a razor blade cut a hole in the top of the box large enough for a preschooler to reach in. Next using construction paper make a turkey's head and attach to the box. Cut two brown paper wings and attach to the sides of the box. For the feathers, I used 12 craft sticks. You can paint them if you like or use them as is. On the top of the box use a razor blade to cut 3 rows of 4 slits (total of 12 slits). (where the feathers would be on a turkey) Make the slits as wide as your craft sticks. Next cut a piece of white tag board into 12 cards. Write on each card the numbers 1-12. Place the cards in the hole of the box. Your turkey is ready to go!!!