Matching Math Eggs (counting)

Duration
Less than 1 hour
Lesson Type
Traditional Lesson
Collections

Essential Question

What are different ways we can match numbers to the corresponding dot visuals, and how does this help us understand the value of numbers?

Grade(s):

  • Pre K
  • Kindergarten

Subject(s):

Recommended Technology:

Other Instructional Materials or Notes:

Materials: 4 dozen plastic eggs

Preparation: With a permanent marker, record numbers 1-20 on the bottoms of the plastic eggs. Draw visuals (dots) of numbers 1-20 on the tops of eggs. Separate the tops from the bottoms of the eggs.

*Consider delivery of this activity as either the whole group or as a rotation activity.

Lesson Progression

  1. Begin with a quick review of counting and number identification. Display the number 7 and ask students to shout out the number's name. Ask students to show the number using fingers. Repeat with numbers 2 and 9.
  2. Flash 9 dots in a tens frame and ask students to shout out how many dots there are. Repeat with 4 dots, 18 dots, and 11 dots.
  3. Explain to students that today their challenge will be to match up number representations. Show students an example, grabbing a numbered bottom and searching trial-and-error to find the matching top (think-aloud).
  4. Give each student one bottom.
  5. Have students search through tops to find their match. 
  6. Repeat 3-4 times.

Teacher Notes

Differentiation: Limit the number of tops to narrow down possibilities. Use this activity as a small group activity. Narrow the choices down to single digit numbers only, then build to double digits up to 20.

Extension: Give students tops with equations and bottoms with their sums/differences.

Assessments

Record anecdotal notes on how students are pairing egg halves with accuracy.