Colorful Counting

1. Review the concept of basic numbers with class. Ask them to articulate what the numbers mean; review counting actual objects together. Challenge students to share where they might find numbers in our everyday lives.
2. Provide the class with several pieces of construction paper. One larger sheet (approx. 4.5" x 6" or 11 cm x 15 cm) will be used to write a digit on as a 'bubble number'. Demonstrate how to create bubble numbers for your students. In addition to each digit, there will also be several smaller pieces of construction paper provided (each approx. 2" x 3" or 5cm x 8 cm) to be used in illustrating a set of matching objects. One object will be drawn on each piece of smaller paper. Refer to these as counters since the students will actually be counting these to come up with the answers. Student sets can be color-coded by one paper color for each set (bubble number paper and that number of counters on the same color paper). For instance, the larger paper may have a 'bubble number' of "5" written on it; accompanying the digit 5 will be five small construction paper pieces, or counters, each with the same object/image illustrated on them.
3. Once students have finished creating their sets, use a few to create a math problem that can visualize simple addition. For example, on a large sheet of white paper from a Crayola Giant Floor Pad, place 3 counters of 1 color (the 3 group) with 2 counters (the 2 group), and have the students count all of them. Place the corresponding bubble number with the '3' on it, leaving a small space. Place the paper with the "2" on the Floor Pad paper next. Quiz students to figure out that a + sign belongs between them and an equal sign at the end. Prompt students to tell you that the 5 bubble number should go at the end of that math sentence. Slide all the small pieces down so that the 2 colored sets (the set of 3 and the set of 2) equal (draw another sign) the 5 counters from the "5" set.
4. Demonstrate with a large graph drawn on another piece of Crayola's Floor Pad, with the squares drawn to accommodate the small pieces. Starting with one of the numbers, place those small pieces in one column; place another set in the column next to that. Have the students compare the larger/smaller numbers. Show how a piece of graph paper can be colored in to easily see the differences in numbers!
5. To really inspire some mathematical thinking, introduce the concept of a set; for example a set of 4, and then 2 sets of 4, and so on! This is the basis for building algebraic thinking.
6. Keep the sets together in zip top bags, accessible to the students, so that they can use these manipulatives throughout the year.

MATH: Know number names and the count sequence.

MATH: Count to tell the number of objects.

MATH: Understand addition as putting together and adding to, and understand subtraction as taking apart and taking from.

VA: Engage collaboratively in creative art-making in response to an artistic problem.

VA: Identify safe and non-toxic art materials, tools, and equipment.

Create different mats with appropriate sized shapes outlined for the numbers, addition, subtraction & equal signs, and spaces below for the manipulative pieces. Students can check their own homework in groups by using these manipulatives. More advanced sentence/problem mats could be created as the school year goes on.

Create a large-scale number line and have students transfer their number knowledge to this format as well!