Counting Fun in the Garden: Building Towers from 1 to 5!

Math Grades 1st Grade 4:46 Video
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Lesson Description

Join us for a math adventure in the garden! We'll learn to count from 1 to 5, build towers with blocks, and discover the fun of numbers all around us.

Video Resource

Grade 1: Math Lesson #2 Making Towers For The Numbers 1-5

The Eagle's Nest - Our Online Classroom

Duration: 4:46
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Key Concepts

  • Number recognition (1-5)
  • Counting objects
  • Representing numbers with objects (towers)

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to correctly identify and count numbers from 1 to 5.
  • Students will be able to represent each number (1-5) using manipulatives (snap cubes or LEGOs).
  • Students will be able to build towers corresponding to a given number from 1 to 5.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by welcoming the students and introducing the learning goal: to build towers and count items from 1 to 5. Briefly discuss where the lesson will take place (in the garden) and how the video setting relates to counting real-world objects.
  • Counting Garden Items (5 mins)
    Watch the section of the video where the teacher counts garden items (cucumber, garlic, squash, peas, nasturtium flowers). Pause the video after each item and ask students to repeat the count. Emphasize the association between the number card and the quantity of items.
  • Building Towers with Snap Cubes/LEGOs (7 mins)
    Watch the video segment where the teacher builds towers with snap cubes. Explain that they will be doing the same. If students don't have snap cubes, LEGOs or other building blocks can be used. Guide students to build towers of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Encourage them to count aloud as they add each cube/block.
  • Independent Practice (8 mins)
    Have students independently practice building towers of different heights (1-5). Call out a number and ask students to build the corresponding tower. Observe and provide assistance as needed. Encourage them to count out loud. Alternatively, provide number cards (1-5) and have them build the tower corresponding to the card.
  • Wrap-up (5 mins)
    Review the numbers 1-5 and have students show their towers. Ask students what other objects they could count around their house. Reiterate the learning goal and encourage them to practice counting throughout the day.

Interactive Exercises

  • Tower Challenge
    Call out a number (e.g., 'Build a tower of 3!'). The first student to correctly build the tower wins a point. Play several rounds, calling out different numbers each time.
  • Counting Game
    Ask students to find a certain number of objects around the room (e.g., 'Find 2 pencils!' or 'Find 4 books!').

Discussion Questions

  • What other things can you count in a garden?
  • Why is it important to know how to count?
  • What is your favorite number between 1 and 5, and why?

Skills Developed

  • Number recognition
  • One-to-one correspondence (counting)
  • Fine motor skills (building towers)
  • Data Interpretation

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which number comes after 2?

Correct Answer: 3

Question 2:

How many blocks do you need to make a tower of 4?

Correct Answer: 4

Question 3:

Which number is the smallest?

Correct Answer: 1

Question 4:

If you have 2 flowers and get 1 more, how many do you have?

Correct Answer: 3

Question 5:

What number comes right before 5?

Correct Answer: 4

Question 6:

Which is a tower of 3 blocks?

Correct Answer: Tower of 3

Question 7:

If you count your fingers on one hand, what number do you get?

Correct Answer: 5

Question 8:

Which number is bigger? 4 or 2?

Correct Answer: 4

Question 9:

If you have 1 apple and get 1 more, how many do you have?

Correct Answer: 2

Question 10:

What do we use to build towers in the video?

Correct Answer: Both A and C

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The number that comes after 4 is ____.

Correct Answer: 5

Question 2:

A tower of 1 block has ____ block.

Correct Answer: 1

Question 3:

The number that comes before 2 is ____.

Correct Answer: 1

Question 4:

I have 3 blocks. I need ____ more block to make a tower of 4.

Correct Answer: 1

Question 5:

The biggest number we learned about today is ____.

Correct Answer: 5

Question 6:

If you have 2 blocks and add 2 more, you will have _____ blocks.

Correct Answer: 4

Question 7:

The teacher in the video counts things in the ____.

Correct Answer: garden

Question 8:

___ is the smallest number.

Correct Answer: 1

Question 9:

___ comes after the number 3.

Correct Answer: 4

Question 10:

We can build towers with snap cubes or ____.

Correct Answer: Legos

Educational Standards

CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.C.5:Relate counting to addition and subtraction (e.g., by counting on 2 to add 2). CCSS.Math.Content.1.NBT.A.1:Count to 120, starting at any number less than 120. In this range, read and write numerals and represent a number of objects with a written numeral. CCSS.Math.Content.1.MD.C.4:Organize, represent, and interpret data with up to three categories; ask and answer questions about the total number of data points, how many in each category, and how many more or less are in one category than in another.

Teaching Materials

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