Math Bag
As part of a Math method course at Acadia University, a group of us
     designed a take home math activity for children in grade primary. The
     following information, including our assignment in full may help you
     create the same type of activity or encourage you to create your own
     activities.
By: Kelly Thomas, Holly MacDonald and Stephani Clements
Contents

     Letter to family
     List of materials
     Title, Author, ISBN and Synopsis of book
     Instructions for preparing Activity 1
     Instructions for activity 1

     Special instructions and/or materials for special needs
     Curriculum outcomes for each activity

Letter to family

 Dear Parents/Guardian,
      Your child has taken home this Math Bag. A math bag is a learning tool which children and
     parents can enjoy together. In keeping with the trend of interdisciplinary learning, math bags
     combine different subjects in the learning process.
      There are 24 math bags for the class. Each student will get a chance to take each math bag
     home at some point in the year. Math bags go home with students on Fridays and are not
     required back until Tuesday mornings. We hope that this time frame allows for parents'
     schedules. Please send the math bag back with your child on Tuesday morning.
     Math Bag #7: Counting with Ladybugs
     Contents: four ladybug counters
       "The Very Hungry Caterpillar", by Eric Carle
      Some of the intended learning outcomes of early math education that we hope to develop
     from this activity are to develop confidence with counting so that students can determine the
     number in a group, to help students identify numbers, and to have students construct and
     communicate number meanings. We also hope students will be able to explore a variety of
     representations of numbers, in this case, counting the dots on the ladybugs' wings.
      As you read the book with your child, count with him or her the number of fruit that the
     caterpillar eats. When the book is complete take one of the ladybugs and ask the child to count
     the spots, or add the two halves. The correct number will be underneath the ladybugs wings.
     Continue with another bug (students who like to be challenged can be asked to add two
     different ladybugs together).
     Record the number the children count on the ladybug on the activity sheet provided. Each dot
     on the activity sheet represents the color of the ladybugs head.
      We welcome any comments or suggestions that you may have. We hope that you enjoy the
     time learning together.
 

List of materials
 In order to make four "Magic Bugs" you will need the following:
     - 8 paper plates (9 inch diameter)
     - Construction paper
     - 4 paper fasteners
     - markers and crayons
     - scissors
     - tape or glue
     - Activity record sheet (provided)
     - Journal or portfolio to keep the activity sheets for assessment.

Title, Author, ISBN and Synopsis of book
Very Hungry Caterpillar  by Eric Carle, Putnam Pub Group Juv; ISBN: 0399208534
                   This is the delightful story of one very small and very hungry caterpillar who grows into a beautiful
                   butterfly as he nibbles his way through the pages of the book. This exquisite book helps children learn
                   about animals, numbers, the days of the week, and the importance of friendship and self-esteem.

Instructions for preparing Activity 1
Procedure:
     - For the bug’s wings, cut the first plate in half. For the head, cut out a circle from construction
     paper. Cut two small strips of construction paper and glue or tape onto the head for antennae.
     - With the help of an adult, use scissors to poke a hole in the third paper plate. Also, poke a
     whole at the top of each wing. Make holes about ½ inch from the edge.
     - Place the wings on the top of the third plate (the body of the bug). Push a paper fastener
     through the holes to hold the plate together. Press the fastener open.
     - Tape the head of the bug to the back of the third plate. Decorate your bug any way you like.
     Draw dots on the wings of the bug.
     - Count the dots and write the number on the plate (body of the bug) hidden underneath the
     bug’s wings.
 

Instructions for activity 1

 - Read the story The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Children can help count the various foods eaten
     by the caterpillar as well as the number of holes in the leaves.
     - After the children have practised their counting, they can use their "Magic Bugs" to perform
     the rest of the activity.
     - Using the attached activity sheet, children will record their findings. There are 4 different
     colored -dots on the provided activity sheet. Each dot represents the color of the bug’s head.
     - For example; the first colored-dot on the sheet is red. Children will find the bug with the red
     face and then count the number of dots on that bug’s wings. Children with visual impairments
     may use the fabric dots to count.
     - Once the child has counted the dots, he or she will record that number next to the
     corresponding dot found on the activity sheet.
     - After the child has recorded the number, they can check their answer by opening the bug’s
     wings. They may make the appropriate changes on their activity sheet.
     - An extension to this activity would be to implement addition problems. Families may ask " If
     there are two dots on one wing and one dot on the other, how many dots are there altogether?

Special instructions and/or materials for special needs

Some students may require assisstance in the creation of the math bugs. Always make sure that an adult is present when using scissors etc.
 

Curriculum outcomes for each activity

The outcomes are based on grade primary
To communicate number meanings (KSCO i)
To count numbers in a group (SCO P-A2)
To explore a physical variety or number representation (SCO P-A4)
To count numbers in a variety of ways (SCO P-A5)
To use symbols to represent numbers (SCO P-A8)
 

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