Materials
plastic apple containers from the grocery store
objects to count: pinecones or rocks or seashells
Instructions
* Save a plastic fruit container (the type apples are sold in) from the grocery
store, or use the kind that have compartments for fruit.
* Write a number on each indent if you would like the children to match
the number as they count. Write numbers on small labels with a
permanent marker.
* Collect a number of items to count and place in a container.
What to Do
1. Put the objects and the counting container out for the children to explore.
2. Allow the children plenty of time to manipulate the objects and discover what
they can do with the container, counting the objects as they place one at a
time in each indentation.
3. When the children have had experience counting, you can wonder aloud how
many there would be if you added one more, or subtracted one.
4. Later, ask the children to try counting backwards.
Assessment
To assess the children's learning, consider the following:
* When counting, do the children point to the object? Do the children touch
the object? Do the children move an object as they count it?
* When the tray is empty, ask the children where a particular number is. Can
the children find it? Do the children need to count in order to find the
number or can they recognize it?
