Count on Apple Seed Math!
This activity covers multiple math skills including: subitizing (the ability to recognize amounts quickly without counting), counting, adding, and using manipulatives.
Materials
Directions
Cut the red construction paper into the shape of an apple.
Cut the white construction paper into the same shape but smaller.
Cut a few leaves out of the green paper (use scrap for this, if possible).
Glue the white onto the red centering it on the paper.
Glue the leaves on top, too.
Write tally marks on the cut cardstock with the marker.
For preschoolers, arrange the apple and beans on the cookie tray and place the tally mark cards in one pile. Place the same number of beans (seeds) on the apple as is shown on the card. This is great for one-on-one correspondence practice as well as learning about tally marks.
For children ready for addition, give them the same setup but break the cards into two piles. Have them add the two tally mark cards together and use the beans to show their answer. You can use a dry erase marker to made an addition sign, if you'd like to.
Allison McDonald is a former preschool teacher and director, who started her popular early education blog No Time For Flash Cards as a way to keep one foot in her professional life while knee-deep in motherhood. Learning should be fun, and it's Allison's goal to help all parents be able to add a little fun and learning to their child's day. Allison lives in a yellow farmhouse outside of Seattle with her two kids and husband.
Math