- blocks or other small objects
- crayons
- paper
- owls pictures (3) (laminated)
- family
- owl
MA Standards:
Mathematics/PK.CC.MA.1: Listen to and say the names of numbers in meaningful contexts.
Mathematics/PK.CC.MA.3: Understand the relationships between numerals and quantities up to ten.
Head Start Outcomes:
Literacy Knowledge/Book Appreciation & Knowledge: Retells stories or information from books through conversation, artistic works, creative movement, or drama.
Logic/Reasoning & Problem Solving: Uses past knowledge to build new knowledge.
PreK Learning Guidelines:
Science and Technology 3: Identify and use simple tools appropriately to extend observations.
Science and Technology 4: Record observations and share ideas through simple forms of representation such as drawings.
Explore Together (indoors): How Many Owls?
© Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Early Education and Care (Jennifer Waddell photographer). All rights reserved.
Place the book Owl Babies and the owl pictures on a table and have children gather around. Tell children that they are going to count how many owls are in the owl family.
- Read Owl Babies if children are not familiar with the story.
- Place a sheet of paper in the middle of the table with three large circles drawn on it. Tell children they are going to count the number of owls in the owl family. Say, Let’s place one owl in each circle.
- Have a volunteer place one owl in a circle and count, One. Then have another volunteer place another owl in a circle and have children count as you point, One, two. Have a child place a third owl in a circle. Have all children count, one, two, three. Say, There are three owl babies in the family.
- Have children count the owls along with you , then name the owls together. (Sarah, Percy, Bill)
Then have children draw a picture of the owl family, including Mommy. When children finish their drawings, count the owls again and ask, How many owls are in the owl family all together. (4)
Adaptation: For older children who are counting on their own, have them count the owls on the cover of the book and then you may want to have them count characters in different books, depending on their counting skills.
English Language Learners: Have children count with you in their home language as you raise your fingers one at a time. When children have said the number in their home language, say the number in English. Say the number in English after you as you place a picture of an owl in each circle and say: There are one, two, three, owl babies in the family. Repeat as needed.