Materials
3' to 4' artificial tree
small bag
5" number cards labeled 1 to 6 (or higher for older children)
container
25 small unbreakable ornaments with yarn loops
Instructions
1. Teach the children the following song:
My Little Christmas Tree by Susan Oldham Hill
(Tune: "I'm a Little Teapot")
My little Christmas tree is empty and bare,
No decorations hanging there.
Please pull out a card
And then we'll see
How many decorations go on my tree.
2. Show the children the tree and choose a child to begin decorating it.
3. Ask the child to draw a number card from the bag and identify it.
4. Choose a second child to count out the matching number of decorations from
the container.
5. As a group, count the set of decorations before the children hang them on the
tree to make sure the amount is correct.
6. Ask the two children to hang them on the tree.
7. Sing the song again as the next child chooses a number card.
Teacher - to - Teacher Tip
* After the children have used the tree several times in a directed activity, put
the tree out for them to use as they choose.
Assessment
To assess the children's learning, consider the following:
* While the children are drawing cards and counting items, can they identify
the numbers on the cards and count rationally?
* Do the children understand the concept of zero?
