Materials
30 index cards per child
newspaper
shirt or smock per child
markers, crayons, or colored pencils
nontoxic paint
hand wipes
Instructions
* Have each child bring in a pack of blank index cards. White is best; colored
cards can be distracting.
* Spread newspaper and create a painting area before the children arrive.
What to Do
1. To make number cards, ask the children to take 10 cards and, holding the
cards vertically, help them write one number per card from 1 to 10 using
different colors.
2. Ask the children to take 10 cards and help them write number words ("one,"
"two," "three," and so on), one per card, from 1 to 10. Challenge the children to
match the number color from the first cards.
3. To make the counting cards, the children take the last 10 cards, dip a thumb or
finger into the paint, and make the correct number of dots to match each
number. Let these dry overnight.
4. Younger children may need assistance matching colors across all three types
of cards.
5. When all the cards are ready, play "Triple Match."
6. Lay cards face down and try to find matches three ways: "one," "1," and one
painted dot.
Assessment
To assess the children's learning, consider the following:
* Can the children recognize the numbers?
* Do the children understand that numbers never change no matter how they
are written?
