Garden Math: Counting, Ordering, and Building Towers!

Math Grades 1st Grade 8:44 Video
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Lesson Description

Let's learn about numbers! We'll count yummy fruits and veggies from the garden, put numbers in the right order, and even build number towers. Get ready for a fun math adventure!

Video Resource

Grade 1: Math Lesson #4 Making Towers for the Numbers 1-9; Ordering Numbers 0-9

The Eagle's Nest - Our Online Classroom

Duration: 8:44
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Counting objects from 0-9
  • Ordering numbers from 0-9
  • Representing numbers with physical objects (towers)

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to count a set of objects (up to 9) accurately.
  • Students will be able to order numbers from 0 to 9 in the correct sequence.
  • Students will be able to represent numbers 1-9 by building towers of corresponding height.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Start by watching the YouTube video. Encourage students to find objects around their home or classroom that they can count and use for building towers, just like Mrs. Lawson in her garden!
  • Number Ordering Game (10 mins)
    After watching the video, use number cards (or make your own!) from 0 to 9. Have the students put the numbers in order from smallest to biggest. Then, play the 'Switch the Numbers' game just like in the video! Have them close their eyes while you switch two numbers, and then have them guess which numbers you switched.
  • Tower Building (15 mins)
    Using snap cubes, LEGOs, or other building blocks, have the students build towers to represent the numbers 1 through 9. For example, a tower for the number '3' should have 3 blocks. Encourage them to match the towers to the number cards they used earlier. Ask questions like: 'Which tower is the tallest? Which tower is the shortest?'
  • Wrap Up (5 mins)
    Review what they learned about counting, ordering numbers, and building towers. Ask them to share their favorite part of the lesson.

Interactive Exercises

  • Number Hunt
    Hide number cards around the room (or garden!). Have students find the cards and put them in order. For an extra challenge, have them build a tower for each number they find.
  • Missing Number
    Write out a sequence of numbers, but leave one number missing (e.g., 1, 2, _, 4, 5). Have students fill in the missing number.

Discussion Questions

  • What are some other things you can find around your house to count?
  • Why is it important to know how to put numbers in order?
  • How does building towers help you understand how big a number is?

Skills Developed

  • Counting
  • Number recognition
  • Ordering
  • Fine motor skills (building towers)
  • Problem-solving

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which number comes after 3?

Correct Answer: 4

Question 2:

Which number is the smallest?

Correct Answer: 1

Question 3:

If you have 5 blocks and you add 1 more, how many do you have?

Correct Answer: 6

Question 4:

Which number is bigger, 8 or 6?

Correct Answer: 8

Question 5:

What number means you have nothing?

Correct Answer: 0

Question 6:

If you are counting to 5, what number is in the middle?

Correct Answer: 3

Question 7:

If you have a tower of 4 blocks, and another tower of 2 blocks, which tower is taller?

Correct Answer: The tower of 4 blocks

Question 8:

Which number comes right before 7?

Correct Answer: 6

Question 9:

What comes first when you count?

Correct Answer: Zero

Question 10:

Which of these are in the correct counting order?

Correct Answer: 1, 2, 3, 4

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The number that comes before 1 is ______.

Correct Answer: 0

Question 2:

If you have 3 apples, and you eat 1, you have ______ apples left.

Correct Answer: 2

Question 3:

The number after 5 is ______.

Correct Answer: 6

Question 4:

If you build a tower with 7 blocks, you have ______ blocks.

Correct Answer: 7

Question 5:

When you have nothing, you have ______.

Correct Answer: zero

Question 6:

The number between 2 and 4 is ______.

Correct Answer: 3

Question 7:

If you have 4 flowers and someone gives you 5 more, you have ______ flowers.

Correct Answer: 9

Question 8:

The biggest number we learned about today is ______.

Correct Answer: 9

Question 9:

Putting numbers in the right order is called ______.

Correct Answer: ordering

Question 10:

When counting, you start with zero, then one, then ______.

Correct Answer: two

Educational Standards

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.OA.C.5:Relate counting to addition and subtraction (e.g., by counting on 2 to add 2). CCSS.Math.Content.1.MD.A.1:Order three objects by length; compare the lengths of two objects indirectly by using a third object.

Teaching Materials

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