Garden Math: Counting and Comparing with Autumn Harvest

Math Grades 1st Grade 13:15 Video
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Lesson Description

Explore math concepts like counting, comparing numbers, and simple addition/subtraction through a virtual field trip to Mrs. Lawson's autumn garden. Learn about different fruits and vegetables while practicing important math skills.

Video Resource

Virtual Field Trip: Mrs. Lawson's Autumn Garden

The Eagle's Nest - Our Online Classroom

Duration: 13:15
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Counting and Number Recognition
  • Comparing Quantities (More, Less, Equal)
  • Simple Addition and Subtraction
  • Data Representation

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to count and identify numbers up to 20 (or higher, depending on extension activities).
  • Students will be able to compare the quantities of different fruits and vegetables using terms like 'more,' 'less,' and 'equal to'.
  • Students will be able to solve simple addition and subtraction problems related to the garden harvest.
  • Students will be able to represent different types of data visually.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what they know about gardens and harvesting. Show them the YouTube video 'Virtual Field Trip: Mrs. Lawson's Autumn Garden'. Explain that they will be going on a math adventure in the garden.
  • Counting the Harvest (10 mins)
    After watching the video, focus on the different fruits and vegetables Mrs. Lawson harvested. Ask students to count how many of each item they saw (e.g., How many tomatoes? How many cucumbers?). Write the numbers on the board.
  • Comparing Harvest Quantities (10 mins)
    Use the numbers on the board to compare the quantities of different fruits and vegetables. Ask questions like: 'Are there more tomatoes or cucumbers? How do you know?' Introduce the terms 'more,' 'less,' and 'equal to'.
  • Garden Math Problems (10 mins)
    Create simple addition and subtraction word problems based on the garden harvest. For example: 'Mrs. Lawson picked 5 tomatoes and 3 cucumbers. How many vegetables did she pick in all?' or 'Mrs. Lawson had 8 grapes and ate 2. How many grapes are left?' Encourage students to use their fingers or draw pictures to solve the problems.
  • Data Representation (10 mins)
    Introduce students to basic data representation. Have the students create a bar graph of the different types of vegetables and fruits. The Y axis should represent the number of each, and the X axis should represent the fruit. Students can then answer questions about the graph and the data contained within.
  • Wrap Up (5 mins)
    Review the math concepts learned during the lesson. Ask students what they enjoyed most about their virtual field trip and what they learned about math in the garden.

Interactive Exercises

  • Counting Game
    Show pictures of different garden items and have students count aloud. Increase the difficulty by showing larger quantities or groups of different items.
  • Comparing Game
    Show two groups of garden items and ask students to point to the group with 'more' or 'less'.
  • Graphing Activity
    Create a physical graph where students can use manipulatives to represent quantities, reinforcing the concept of data representation in a tangible way.

Discussion Questions

  • What was your favorite fruit or vegetable that Mrs. Lawson harvested?
  • If you had a garden, what would you want to grow? How many of each?
  • Can you think of other ways we use math when we are gardening?

Skills Developed

  • Counting
  • Comparing
  • Problem-solving
  • Data Analysis

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Mrs. Lawson picked 4 tomatoes and 2 cucumbers. How many vegetables did she pick in all?

Correct Answer: 6

Question 2:

Which number is bigger: 7 or 3?

Correct Answer: 7

Question 3:

Mrs. Lawson has 6 grapes. She eats 1 grape. How many grapes are left?

Correct Answer: 5

Question 4:

There are 5 carrots and 5 beets. Are there more carrots, more beets, or the same number of each?

Correct Answer: The same number

Question 5:

Which number comes after 9?

Correct Answer: 10

Question 6:

If you have 3 apples and you get 2 more, how many apples do you have?

Correct Answer: 5

Question 7:

What comes first when harvesting, planting or picking?

Correct Answer: Planting

Question 8:

If there are 12 sunflowers and the bees visit 4, how many sunflowers are left?

Correct Answer: 8

Question 9:

How many more tomatoes are there if we have 6 tomatoes and 2 squash?

Correct Answer: 4

Question 10:

What comes before 3?

Correct Answer: 2

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

5 + 2 = _______

Correct Answer: 7

Question 2:

10 - 3 = _______

Correct Answer: 7

Question 3:

If you have more apples than bananas, that means you have ________ bananas than apples.

Correct Answer: fewer

Question 4:

6 is ________ than 4.

Correct Answer: bigger

Question 5:

If you count 1, 2, 3, the next number is _______

Correct Answer: 4

Question 6:

7 + ______ = 10

Correct Answer: 3

Question 7:

15 - ______ = 5

Correct Answer: 10

Question 8:

A group of ten can also be called a _______

Correct Answer: ten

Question 9:

If you picked 8 strawberries, and I picked 4, you have _______ more than me.

Correct Answer: 4

Question 10:

10 more than 10 is ________

Correct Answer: 20

Educational Standards

CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.A.1:Use addition and subtraction within 20 to solve word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing, with unknowns in all positions, e.g., by using objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem. 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.

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