We did the zero activity today. It helps children understand the meaning of zero. First I asked Snow White to clap her hands 3 times, then 5 times then 0 times.Then we took turns jumping 4 times, 6 times 0 times etc. I explained that 0 means nothing. Then we traced sandpaper letters and would tap the table for each number. Since she seemed to catch on to this activity, I introduced extension 1 as well. we had the numerals on small pieces of paper and would take turns choosing a paper and walking around a table the number of times it said on our paper. She especially liked that we used pink paper! Now I think she is ready for me to introduce the spindle boxes…I better make the spindles as I only have the boxes which I purchased a while back.
Amber
Wednesday 20th of May 2009
Hi MM, you have 2 new posts also! I'll respond to your guide comments back on my blog... but wanted to comment here too!
We also play the mystery number game - but they have to go and "get" that many things. They choose a number & look at it in secret (I help Lovely still) and then i say... go and get that many... spoons / pencils / shells - whatever you know that you have at least 9 of!
Everyone keeps taking turns taking a number and collecting their piles of things (counters) until all of the numbers are gone from the bowl & then we say: "Who has the O?" "Who has the number 1?" etc. and lay out the cards and "counters" as we go on a mat on order. The boys really enjoy this and it's a fun one to do together.
Oh, and my version of spindles is old-fashioned wooden pegs that I think I bought at a craft store. They're the old style with just a slit down the middle of the wooden peg.... now if I only had the spindle BOX! We need to get together :)