Math Makes Sense

Young children have a conceptual understanding of mathematics and mathematical thinking and reasoning. Within class we have been working on some fundamental math skills. Through various experiences children have been demonstrating their concrete understanding of a variety of math concepts.

Counting is a fundamental skill in mathematics. Through daily experiences we are modeling counting and engaging in counting through cross curricular experiences. The calendar provides my real life concept of counting and number recognition for the children. Also, we have been counting the number of days we have been at school, introducing the place value of numbers in ones, tens, and hundreds categories. As children engage in play based experiences they are transferring their counting skills to count blocks and dots. Height and length further stimulate counting to solidify our estimations and compare our creations with others.

 

 

We have been working on sorting objects in class. Children have come up with a variety of sorting rules for vehicles and animals. They began by sorting the objects by colour and size. Now they are coming up with more in depth sorting strategies such as land or water vehicles and habitats of animals.

A shape scavenger hunt was presented to the children as an introduction to recognizing and labeling two dimensional shapes. Children searched around the room for numerous shapes in daily objects, such as a clock and windows, they are circles. We will soon extend this topic into exploring and comparing two and three dimensional shapes.

In class the children have been working on extending and creating patterns. Math manipulatives have helped the children begin to manipulate and explore patterns. They are able to connect cube a links together to make two, three, and four step patterns. The children have extended this skill into a more abstract avenue by using different colours and sizes of bingo dabblers to make a variety of patterns.

While engaging in play based experiences children have demonstrated an interest in length and height. Two children were connecting cube a links together and realized they did not have enough to build what they had envisioned. They decided to count each block and connect them to compare the length of the cubes. The children then noticed there was a measuring tape in the room and began experimenting with length and measurement.