Materials
balance beam or masking tape
collection of beanbag "bugs" (or plastic or paper bug cutouts)
Instructions
1. Recite the following poem with the children, holding up the number of fingers
indicated throughout:
Ladybug Poem by Cookie Zingarelli
Five little ladybugs sitting on a leaf, eating aphids all day long.
One jumped off and then there were four.
Four little ladybugs sitting on a leaf, eating aphids all day long.
One jumped off and then there were three.
Three little ladybugs sitting on a leaf, eating aphids all day long.
One jumped off and then there were two.
Two little ladybugs sitting on a leaf, eating aphids all day long.
One jumped off and then there was one.
One little ladybug sitting on a leaf, eating aphids all day long.
It jumped off to join the others on another leaf.
Teacher - to - Teacher Tip
* Make ladybug masks by cutting circles from red poster board, cutting holes
for eyes and mouth, and letting the children draw black spots. Attach black
chenille stems to form antennae. Punch holes on the sides and tie strings to
each hole. Help the children put on their masks to act out the poem above.
Assessment
Consider the following:
* How well do the children recite the poem?
* Are the children beginning to understand the way the number of ladybugs
diminishes through the poem?
