onumbers

I have reserved my very favorite preschool math activities for my "PRE-MATH" booklet (see the "Stormie's Stuff for Teachers" section of my website).
NUMBER: 3

From Stormie:

Creative Drama: "Goldilocks and the Three Bears":

Read the story to the class, stopping now and then to ask, "How many bowls, chairs, etc?" Children could then act out the story in the creative drama area of the classroom during free choice play, or volunteers could put on a "show." To account for the three sizes, beds could be three different sized mats, towels, or blankets, and dress up clothes could be for man, woman, & child. To focus on number three, ask questions like, "Are there enough spoons for 3 bears? How do you know?" A box of oatmeal adds realism. To extend the activity, draw outlines of the bowls, cups, and spoons on paper placemats so that children can match objects to their outlined shapes (pre-math). It's real nice to have the dishes and silverware in three different sizes but this isn't always possible. This activity is great for developing language and social/emotional skills.

***I've learned that the difference between a classroom that has the "same ole' stuff" in it for the kids to do, and one that always provides variety, is thrift store shopping!! Want three different sizes of bowls, cups, and spoons for the activity above? Go to a thrift shop. You can find amazing bargains on children's toys, games, and books, too. If the school where you work is like most, in that materials are at a minimum, please, take advantage of these wonderful places. I should add, however, that when spending my own money, I buy things that are mine to keep that can be used over and over again no matter where I work.

Pre-Math: Counting Candy: Buy a package of Reeses's Pieces for a special pre-math snack. Provide each child with a paper plate for doing their "candy work." They can count the pieces, they can sort them by color, and they can create "sets of 3" (or other number). Then, of course, they can EAT them! Why can't we make pre-math fun? And believe it or not, there's even a perfect book to read during this activity: "The Reese's Pieces Counting Book" by Jerry Pallotta; illustrated by Rob Bolster

Stormie's Games: By the way, I offer a "Counting Cards" game in the "Teaching Aids" section of "Stormie's Stuff for Teachers.

Remember the rhyme "Three Blind Mice?"

Here are other examples of how you could incorporate the number 3 into your plans:
*Pre-Math: Sets: Provide 12 items and have children divide them into groups (sets) of "3."
*Snack: With very clean hands, have children count out 3 each of several snack items from a large bowl for snack (3 pretzel sticks, 3 cheerios, and 3 mini-crackers, for example).
*Gross Motor: Walk down a strip of masking tape on the sidewalk 3 times.
Obviously, you could do similar activities with other numbers.

Share your ideas too. E-mail me at stormie@preschoolbystormie.com

From Yutta, German School, London:
Hi Stormie, we like to do the shape of a "triangle" when our number is "3" because of its three sides.

From Susan B:
Outlines: On black construction paper, I printed a white number "3" using chalk. We then used glue to outline the number. The children then glued on yellow and orange fruit loops. Not only did we reinforce "number 3," but also our colors of the month.
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Reminder from Stormie: If you would like to begin collecting ALL my current classroom ideas (each on a 4 x 6" index card), as well as new ones that I create, you can do so by ordering my "Activity Cards." Click here to check them out.

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My website address: http://www.preschoolbystormie.com