Kinder First Week Tasks

Building Community and Exploring Math Materials

Purpose

The suggested instructional activities can help build a positive math community and they will provide an opportunity for students to explore a variety of math materials. In addition, observations during these instructional activities will provide teachers an opportunity to get to know each and every student in mathematics. The content of the activities is primarily Pre-Kindergarten and early Kindergarten math concepts and ideas. Teacher observations will help evaluate student readiness for Kindergarten math instruction.

Implementation

The suggested instructional activities are short, approximately 20 minutes. Teachers can implement these activities with a whole group model or using small groups (in a rotation model). It is recommended that with each new math manipulative introduced, students should be given 2-3 minutes to explore "play" on their own before being given specific directions. Teacher should ask questions during the activities and prompt students to periodically explain their thinking.

If you are using a rotation model where students may be working independently for part of the math block, consider the following instructional activities for their independent time:

Numeral writing-- children had less opportunities to write with a pencil last year (irregardless of their schooling situation) and as a result this could provide a chance for students to practice writing numbers 0-10.
Talk with your Pre-Kindergarten team (if your building has a Pre-K program) -- they may have independent table activities they use during the second half of the year that you could borrow to use during these two weeks.
Independent activities that you have used successfully in the past at the beginning of the school year.

Observation/Data Collection

As students work, teachers should make observations and can choose to take notes using this general data collection tool Download data collection tool

and/or use this more content specific checklist Links to an external site.. These two optional tools are provided to be helpful and are not required.

Community Building Activities

Building Community Lesson One -- Getting to Know Our Class Links to an external site.

The students will begin with an activity to get to know each other followed by a data collection activity to determine students favorite colors.

The Number Routine, Picture It, is linked within the slide deck.

Additional printables for Lesson 1:

Option 1 - I am a Mathematician Links to an external site.

Option 2 - My Name Links to an external site.

Building Community Lesson Two -- Tools vs. Toys Links to an external site.

Students have the opportunity to sort pictures to determine whether an object is a tool or a toy. There are larger cards that you may choose to print for demonstration purposes.

The Number Routine, Picture It, is linked within the slide deck.

Additional printables for Lesson 2:

Tools vs. Toys Links to an external site.

Building Community Lesson Three -- Working Together Links to an external site.

Students will work collaboratively to complete a puzzle activity. After the activity, students will reflect on what makes them happy when working with a group and what makes them sad. This is an opportunity to begin a class chart to establish norms when working with a group.

The Number Routine, Picture It, is linked within the slide deck.

Additional printables for Lesson 3:

Silent Puzzles Links to an external site. (Puzzles will need to be cut prior to the lesson) Silent Puzzles Icons to Support Links to an external site. (Optional)

Group Work Recording Sheet Links to an external site.

Exploring Math Materials Instructional Activities

Below you will find brief descriptions of suggested instructional activities. If desired, here is a link to a PDF Links to an external site. containing all described activities that can be printed. Generally the activities work with quantities up to 10 (Pre-K Maryland Math Standards), but if appropriate for specific students, you can work with quantities up to 20. See the resource bank within the math course for materials, as needed.

Counting and Cardinality

Cubes and Counting: Give each student approximately 10-12 unifix, snap or other connecting cubes. #1-- Practice one-to-one correspondence by counting a set of counters together. Repeat. #2-- Ask students to count out a specific quantity (1-10) of cubes and make a tower. Repeat. #3-- Say a number (10 or less), and have students put that number of cubes on their finger tips. Repeat.
Sort and Count: Give each student approximately 10-15 unifix, snap or other connecting cubes (various colors). Ask students to sort the cubes by color. Have students count how many in a particular color group and ask them to exchange that information with a partner (while you listen in). Repeat for the various color cube groups.
Dot Card Exploration: Use dot cards with quantities up to 10 to evaluate students' ability to subitize, count on, and/or group quantities and make connections to addition.
Recognize, Count and Use a Ten Frame: Provide each student with a ten frame mat Links to an external site. and some counters (bears, chips, beans, cubes, etc). Show students a number (1-10) and ask students to show that number of counters on their ten frame. Repeat.
Count and Write Ten Frames: Provide each student with a white board and marker (or paper and pencil). As the teacher, use a ten frame to show a quantity between 1-10. Ask students to count what you are showing and to write that number on their board or paper. Repeat.
Roll, Count and Build: Each pair of students need one die and 12 unifix, snap or other connecting cubes. Explain the task with modeling first. One student will roll the die, the other student will build a tower with the quantity rolled. Students will switch roles and the second tower should be connected to the first. This should result in a long tower stick no smaller than 2 and no larger than 12. The pair of students should then count the entire stick of cubes and confirm their answer with one another. Repeat.
Same More Less Dominoes: Each student needs approximately 12-15 dominoes (ideally domino sets go up to 12-- meaning 6 on each side showing 12 total on one domino). Teacher should show a written number between 2-12 to the students and then ask them to find a domino that has a quantity "less" than the number shown. Repeat, changing the number shown and the request using "more", "less", or the "same".
One/Two More or Less: Each student needs a set of about 20 counters (bears, chips, beans, cubes, etc). Ask students to count out and make a pile of 4. Ask students to add two more counters to the pile and ask How many now? Pay attention to students who need to recount the pile to know "6". Ask students to clear the mat and make a set of 9, then ask them to remove one counter and ask How many? Again, note students who need to recount to know "8". Repeat with various quantities within 10 and vary one/two more or less directions.
Using the 20 Chart: Show students the number chart and discuss what they know about the tool and what they notice about the tool. Together count using the chart. Vary the starting and stopping point. Discuss any patterns students see in the number chart.
Rekenrek Exploration: Work with quantities up to 10 using the rekenreks.

Operations and Algebraic Thinking

Decomposition and Equations: Each student needs 5 two-sided counters, a plastic cup to use as a "shaker", and whiteboard/marker (or paper and pencil). Using 4 as the first number, model for students how to count out 4 counters, shake them in the cup, pour them out, and based on how they land discuss the combination and related equation. Shake and spill for the same number twice. Repeat with numbers 2-5.
Combinations of 5 with a Five Frame: Each student will need a whiteboard/marker (or paper and pencil). Teacher shows a five frame with some counters filled in. Ask students to write the number that shows how many more are needed to make ten. Repeat using different quantities shown in the single five frame.

Measurement, Data and Geometry

Pattern Block Fun: Give each student a random collection of pattern block, approximately 10-15 for each student. Allow students a few minutes to make designs/patterns "play". Ask students to sort the blocks into shape groups. Discuss names of the blocks (tan and blue rhombus, orange square, yellow hexagon, green triangle, red trapezoid). Ask students how many they have in each group.
3-D Shape Fun: Using solid geometric shapes, allow students to touch and feel different solids. Discuss the names of the solids (cube, cylinder, cone, etc.) and where they might see things in their world shaped like the solids.
Longer and Shorter: Give each student approximately 12-18 unifix, snap or other connecting cubes. Show students two different numbers and ask them to build two different towers to match the quantities shown (within 10). Discuss longer and shorter. Repeat.