Since I am focusing on patterns this first quarter (about ten weeks), it’s time to think about what activities I should do. I want math to be fun, especially with these little kindergarteners who are going to be anxious about school too. I will read a lot of books, play a lot of games, as well as finding out everyone’s math knowledge. I am not their kindergarten teacher, I come in for about 45 minutes four days a week to teach math. Here is my plan: Actually here is what I did for day 1 (since I am posting this after the fact):
Day 1 –
I started with everyone sitting around in a circle and then introduced themselves and telling us a shape that they see on their clothes (This actually helped me remember everyones names). Then I said “Let’s make the circle bigger.” After, I said “Let’s make the circle smaller.” We did several rounds of this. The students really enjoyed it and I got a chance to see how well they listened to instructions and understood big and small. I then read the book “Ten Cats Have Hats.”
After that I had everyone find a partner and hook elbows together.
I explained that they would be going on a treasure hunt in the classroom. The first thing they needed to find is two things that were the same and then bring it back to the circle. Partners found things like two pencils, two blocks, two pillows, etc. Then they shared what they found. Next they needed to find three things, etc. We went up to five things.
Afterwards we gathered up in our circle, and I asked them to stand up if they had two letters in their name, then sit down, then I asked “Do you have three letters?” I did this until everyone had a chance to stand up. This only worked well as the Kindergarten teacher had each students’ names written on the whiteboard so they were able to count and check.
Day 1 done!
