Recent Math Activities

We have had two new units in math. One in geometry and one on numbers and algebra. The children created shapes on geoboards with rubber bands, built equivalent three-dimensional shapes with geoblocks, used pattern blocks to begin early work in fractions, noting that three blue trapezoids build the same shape as a yellow hexagon. We studied circles, squares, triangles and rectangles, as well as spheres, cones, cylinders, triangular prisms and rectangular prisms. We made a shape mural, wrote an accompanying story and posted it in the hallway. We also wrote a classroom book called The Shape of Things using shapes to make different pictures. In the number unit we are beginning to explore numbers 10-20. Initially we have created a factory where children choose a number, copy it onto an order slip and give the order to a counter. The counter fills the order, hands it back to the child and the child then checks the order and records it on paper. These orders are all numbers in the teens. We have also been playing Roll and Record 3, a game that records numbers up to 20. We are doing simple addition and subtraction as well.