#3202. Number "2" and the human body

Mathematics, level: Kindergarten
Posted Fri Aug 13 06:12:40 PDT 2004 by Gisela Hausmann (educeasy@bellsouth.net).

Educ-Easy Books, Wilmington, NC USA
Materials Required: crayons, CD-book "Hands on Mathematics, Numbers from 1-10", 1 copy of "worksheet Number 1" per chil
Activity Time: 30 minutes
Concepts Taught: hands-on

Lesson Plan: Number "2"

Primary Subject - Mathematics
Secondary Subject -- Science
Grade Level -- Pre-K, K, ESE
Time: 30 minutes

Materials: CD-book "Hands on Mathematics, Numbers from 1-10", one copy of "worksheet Number 2" per child, crayons in a variety of colors

Objective: To reinforce the memorization of "number 2" via auditory, visual, and kinesthetic methods.

Process:

1) Explain: The number "2" very often describes pair. Name: e.g. a "pair of shoes", name a more difficult one: "a pair of pants has 2 leg parts"

2) Ask the children what "pairs of something" they see in the room. Each pair of something can be named only once. Make a checkmark for each item named on the blackboard.

3) Explain that the body of humans is symmetrical which means that any body part which is one the one side is on the other side as well. Ask the children if they now can find more pairs. E.g. a pair of thumbs, pinkies, etc. Again, make a checkmark for each item named on the blackboard so they children can see how many pairs they found.

4) Discuss that that 2 very often describes a pair, things that go together, but at the same time it also describes opponents = people or groups that try to win against each other (soccer teams, baseball teams, etc.) and opponents cannot do without another one. Ask who plays a sport with teams who try to win against another team.

5) Do worksheet 2.

Tell the children that once they are finished you are going to collect the sheets to put 2 stickers on it for great work.

Bonus:

Teach adding and subtracting for the first time:

Allow the children to play a game of "tic-tac-toe". Reinforce that each pair of children will now become opponents for this game. Pick 2 kids, and explain: "1 special ...name..." is now going to play against "1 special ...name...".

So, obviously, 1 + 1 = 2.

Then, tactfully, explain subtraction. After the game, 1 of the opponents will have won. Therefore, of the original 2 opponents only 1 will remain. 2 minus 1 = 1. And, of course both of them are special.

Copyright © August 2004 by Gisela Hausmann, permission for publication under Gisela Hausmann is granted.