Planned learning intentions
To say and use number names in order in familiar contexts
To recognise numerals 1 to 9
To display high levels of involvement in activities
Resources
Fabric suitable for a child's quilt cover ,coloured felt pieces ,sewing machine ,thick black marker ,card ,felt pens
Step by step
* Cut out rectangles of felt in different colours and number them from 1 to 10.
* Sew the rectangles to the surface of the quilt fabric to form pockets.
* Hang the fabric sideways along a display board at child height, leaving space at the top for a number line.
* Create ten bears from card, colour them and add numerals from 1 to 10.
Attach a Velcro square to the back of each one.
* Hang the number cards above the display. Attach a small square of Velcro just below each so the bears can be arranged in order along the top of the quilt.
Activities
* Invite the children to remove the bears from the display and 'put them to bed' in the correct pockets.
* Once all of the bears are in bed, wake them up and return them in the correct order to the top of the quilt.
* Develop colour recognition by referring to the colours of the pockets.
Extension activities
* Follow the same idea but glue patterned fabric on to the bears to create shirts and make patterned pockets to match.
* Leave small trays of objects, such as plastic bears or toy animals, under the display and ask the children to put the correct number of items into each pocket.
Allison Clark is the Teacher in Charge at Akrotiri Pre-school, RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus. She sent this idea to Jean Evans.