Seed Sorting
Number literacy is an important competency in all walks of life. Children’s familiarity and competence with numbers entering formal education is predictive of long-term academic success, even performance on the SATs. Luckily, setting up success in math by building a strong foundation for early math skills is easy.
A recent study from Temple University found that children who repetitively heard small numbers (numbers 1-3) had better early math skills than peers who did not practice small numbers or peers who worked with larger numbers (4-6).
In this activity, we will build math confidence through small number counting. The repetitive practice of the small, basic numbers and allowing children to map numbers onto real-world objects – like pumpkin seeds – is of critical importance for early math learners!
Learning Objectives/Opportunities
Build basic knowledge of counting, grouping, and sorting.
Science process skills: sorting, and number familiarity
Developmental skills: fine motor skills
Let’s Begin!
Materials:
Seed Sorting Worksheet
Sheet protector
Pumpkin or pumpkin seeds
Activity Instructions
Select the appropriate worksheet(s) for your students. Print out the Seed Sorting Worksheet(s) and place them inside a plastic baggie or sheet protector to keep them clean and dry.
Provide students with a handful of pumpkin seeds at their desk or in a group.
Have students practice counting by 1’s, 2’s, 3’s, 5’s or 10’s.
