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Be the Numerals

Bring math to life as students become the numerals in an equation.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • String
  • Tape

Steps

  • Step 1

    Ask students to choose a numeral, then have them draw a large version of it on construction paper and decorate it. Help them make holes at the top ends of the paper and thread some string through the holes. Use tape to combine the ends of the string, leaving enough room for the students to wear around their head.

  • Step 2

    Challenge the students to walk around the room and find partners to make an equation with. For example, a "5" could stand next to a "2" and say either "5+2=7" or "5-2=3." Kindergarteners might just arrange and rearrange themselves to count progressively as high as they can, standing individually or in pairs for the higher numbers. Third graders could practice multiplication.

Standards

MATH: Analyze, compare, create, and compose math ideas using written, oral, and drawn lines, shapes, forms, and patterns.

MATH: Create models that demonstrate math concepts and attend to precision.

Adaptations

Read "Pebbles and the Biggest Number" by Joey Benun and Laura Watson (recommended ages: 4-8). The book helps young children grasp the concept of large numbers while providing kids with fun science facts along the way.

Challenge students to think of groups that represent the number they chose. For instance, "3" could be "Three Blind Mice" and "4" could be the four seasons. They can be creative, such as "I have x number of people in my family" or "My 5 favorite foods are..."