Materials
beach ball with colored sections
permanent marker
Instructions
* Write the numbers 1 to 9 in the colored sections of the beach ball. Spread them
over the entire ball. Repeat numbers.
What to Do
1. With the children, review safety rules for tossing a beach ball in class and
discuss the potential for someone to get hurt if they do not follow the rules.
2. Work with a small group of children. Have one child toss the ball to a friend.
When he catches the ball, he looks at the numbers his thumbs are touching.
Ask the child to read the numbers aloud. Then he tosses the ball to the next
friend.
3. If the child is not sure of the numbers, he can use class resources, refer to a
number line, or ask a friend for help.
4. To create some differentiation for children that need a challenge, when the
child holds the ball, ask him to add or subtract the numbers his thumbs are on.
5. Encourage each child to say the equation aloud to help work through it. "My
thumbs are on two and four. So, two plus four equals six."
6. Place the ball back in the Math Station when the game is over.
Assessment
To assess the children's learning, consider the following:
* How well did the children use language during the game?
* Did the children use teamwork when passing the ball?
