Materials
Chart paper with "Help-O-Saurus" printed at the top
Markers
Instructions
1. Counting is the basis of all math. After children learn to count by rote, they
should have many opportunities to count objects. This group activity provides
four-year-olds an opportunity to practice random counting.
2. Make a random counting tray by cutting hardware cloth to fit inside a shallow
box. Be sure to tape the edges of the hardware cloth so it won't injure inquisitive
little fingers!
3. Toss a few marbles into the box. They will stay where they land on the hardware
cloth.
4. Ask one child to count the marbles.
5. To check the child's math, ask her to count out loud as she picks up the
marble, one at a time, to return them to the container.
6. Repeat the process with a different number of marbles and another child until
everyone has had a turn.
More to do
At each turn, ask, "Were there more marbles or fewer marbles this time?"
Encourage the children to count other things, such as all the yellow (or red, blue,
green, and so on) objects in the classroom, or all the children in the Block Area
or other areas of the classroom. Ask the children to count the cups on the snack
table, or all the pencils, crayons, and other objects.
