Early Math Counts

• The book, Grandpa Gazillion’s Number Yard by Laurie Keller
• A pre-made book for each child with the numbers 1-10 on each page (Write the number in words and numerals.)
• Markers or crayons

Note: Small parts pose a choking hazard and are not appropriate for children age five or under. Be sure to choose lesson materials that meet safety requirements.

1. Explain that you are going to read a story about your crazy grandpa, who has a number yard instead of a junk yard. At this number yard, he uses numbers to help people. Ask the children if they can think of ways that numbers might help people.
2. Explain that they are also going to create their own number junkyard books. Invite the children to follow along as you read the story.

1. Begin reading the story. After you read a page with a number on it, pause and have the children draw an object that corresponds with the number in their number books. For example, after you read the following statement from the book: “You are hungry and stuck on a tall mountain peak? A lollipop NINE can last you all week!” Ask the children to draw nine of something that they would want if they were stuck on a tall mountain peak. Continue this throughout the book until their number books are finished.
2. After the number books are completed, the children might want to dictate and have you write down what they want to say about each page.

Additional Extensions

• You can also create a number book with large numbers 1-20 on each page. Instead of representing the numbers with pictorial objects, the children can create other objects from the already existing numbers and incorporate the numbers into their drawings. For example, the number 8 can become glasses on the face of person.

• Count: To identify the amount of something by number (e.g.,”Count the number of objects needed for the number nine.”)
• Represent: A quantity of something whose characteristics represent the entire batch (e.g.,”Draw the correct number of objects that represent the number nine.”)

Early Math Glossary

Adapt Lesson for Toddlers

Toddlers may:

• not know number names or understand the count sequence

Child care providers may:

• Demonstrate what a group of nine looks like using manipulatives, count the manipulatives with the children and then support the children as they draw nine objects on the 9 page
• Read the book slowly (read a page or two a day and reinforce each number that is being worked on throughout the day)

Adapt Lesson for Preschoolers

Preschoolers may:

• Be able to successfully represent each number with pictorial representation

Child care providers may:

• Create a number book with large numbers 1-20 on each page.
• Instead of representing the number with pictorial objects, the children can create other objects from the already existing numbers and incorporate the numbers into their drawings (e.g., the number 8 can become glasses on the face of person)