ADULT-LED
Make a maths game to help with counting and number recognition.
Key learning intentions
To say and use number names in order in familiar contexts
To count reliably up to 10 everyday objects
To recognise numerals 1 to 9
Resources
Oi! Get Off Our Train (see page 7 for story outline); two simple drawings of a train, with five carriages each and drawings of ten animals (copied from the book, or cut from, for example, wrapping paper, the children's drawings or even toy animals); two dice numbered 1 to 6
Preparation
* Read the story of Oi! Get Off Our Train to the children several times over a few days until they are familiar with the characters and the sequence of events.
Activity content
* Divide a group of four children into two 'teams' of two and give each group five animals.
* Explain that the idea is to get all their animals on to the train, to join in the fun.
* To decide which team puts an animal on the train, both teams throw the dice simultaneously. The children can then look at the dice and say the number that they have thrown. The team that throws the lower score places one of their animals on the train.
* Help the children to decide which is the lower number.
* Play continues in this way until one team has placed all their animals on the train.
Things to say and do
* Support the children with vocabulary such as high, low, big, small, large, little, most and least. Inconsistent use of these terms, coupled with the fact that they have various meanings that change with the context in which they are used, may cause confusion. Young children may not have the same concept of a 'big' number as we do.
* What will happen if both teams throw the same number?
* How do you know that...?
* What's the highest/lowest number that could be thrown?
* Provide a number line to help children decide which number is higher/lower.
Stepping stones
* Children with little experience will show an interest in numbers and counting during the game and will use some number names and number language spontaneously.
* Children with some experience will show curiosity about numbers, by offering comments or asking questions during the game and they will use some number names accurately while they play.
* Children with more experience will show confidence with numbers by initiating or requesting number activities and will recognise numerals 1 to 5, then 1 to 9.
Extension ideas
* Change the rules so that the team that throws the higher score places an animal on the train.
* Start with more animals, so that the game lasts longer.
* Use a dice with dots rather than numerals.
* Play the game in reverse, so that the children have to unload the animals from the train. The same rules apply, but when all the animals have been taken from the train it is the team with the most that has won.
* Play the game with three teams - the team that throws the number with the middle value puts an animal on the train.
