Sea Inventory (Lesson 2 of 3)

In this lesson students will rote count the number of sea creatures and shells on our beach mural. Also, students will use problem-solving techniques for answering "bigger than" questions.

This is a thematic unit with three lessons. Lesson 1 details art activities. Lesson 2 describes math activities. Lesson 3 underscores language art activities.

A lesson plan for grade K Mathematics

By Dinah Jackson

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Students will:

• sort by color and size.
• count orally to 50.
• recognize the numerals 1-50.
• problem solve (in small groups of 4 to 5) more and less by size of objects.

Markers

Construction Paper

Sea-like Stickers Students will need Internet access to examine web sites. Students will contribute to the making of a 3′ x 5′ beach mural on newsprint.

(See Lesson 1 for the actual design process of the mural for this thematic

unit.)

1. After drawing the sea creatures on the bottom half of the mural, students will orally count the total number of creatures.
2. After finger painting the blue sea over the bottom half of the mural:
   • Students with place their handprints on an 8″ by 10″ construction paper. When the prints have dried, students will gather as a group to count orally, “How many fingers did it take to make our sea?”
   • The teacher will write in consecutive numbers the fingers on each handprint while the students count aloud the numbers. Students will recognize each written symbol when the teacher points to specific numbers.
3. Each child will add a handful of sand to the top portion of the mural until it is covered with sand. Students will orally count how many handfuls of sand it takes to make the beach.
4. Students will glue shells onto the beach scene.
5. After the sand and shells have been glued to the top of the mural:
   • students will orally count the number of shells on “our beach.”
   • In groups of 4-5, students will problem solve the question: “Are there more small shells or big shells on our beach?” Students will use shell stickers and paste on large constuction paper to determine shell sizes. Each group will share their process and results with classmates.

Students’ efforts will be observed.

When questioned, students will be able to count aloud the number of sea creatures and the number of shells. None Fishlink Central - Games

http://www.fishlinkcentral.com/games/index.htm

Fishlink Central - Photos

http://www.fishlinkcentral.com/

N.C. Fisheries - Cool Kid’s Fishin’

http://www.ncfisheries.net/kids Covering each half of the mural while students are working on specific parts of

it is advisable.

In addition, this unit can include science activities.

Dinah Jackson is an Assistant Professor at Queens College. She specializes in

learning and cognition, child development, and students with special needs.

Originally from Colorado, she has taught in the public schools for many years.