Last week I decided we would make a start on some simple sums and practice some our number bonds – creating some fun number bonds caterpillars in the process.
To create the number bond caterpillars I made some circles. I used one colour for even numbers, one for odd numbers and one for the + and = signs. We aren’t yet at the stage of odd and even numbers but it doesn’t hurt to introduce the concept to the children.
I gave Mr D the various circles and asked him to create two sums to make five. I demonstrated first with 1 + 4 = 5 and he created 2 + 3 = 5.
We then moved onto creating numbers bonds to ten. We laid out heads for the caterpillars and he set about creating the sums. It didn’t take him long to get the hang of it. He then added faces to his caterpillars and legs – a good opportunity to count in 2’s as he added two legs to each body section.
As Miss E was also taking part I set the activity up a little differently for her. She is able to easily recognise all the numbers so I asked her to put them in order from 1 – 10. She did this, then decided she’d do one counting down from 10-1.
This was a really simple exercise to set up, and there are lots of ways you can extend it too. Since doing this I’ve noticed a realy change in Mr D and his mathematical ability and I have noted some ideas below on how to extend this activity further:
- Set up simple sums asking the children to find the missing number and placing it in
- leave counters out for the caterpillars to eat – these could be leaves with dots on showing how many bites the caterpillar has taken. The child then adds these up
- Create number bonds to 20
- Introduce the idea of hundreds, tens and units but having three different colours for each eg: Hundreds red, tens blue, units green and ask the child to make up certain numbers
- Introduce times tables
This was a fun activity to do and one we will be sure to revisit again in the future.
quality
I love it. X
This is such a good idea and it helps mixing the light hearted play of learning x
Such a great idea to encourage maths skills! i like the extension activities too, especially counting how many holes there are in the leaves.
What a lovely and creative idea. I think my son is just on the cusp of being able to do number activities like this one and he would definitely like the caterpillar! Kate http://www.fivelittlestars.com
Wow I really love this idea and this will be perfect for my boys and keep them learning glad that you share this
This is a such a great way to make a subject that could possibly be challenging, a little more fun 😀
Think I need to do this with my own maths from now on haha
I love these! What a cute way to learn maths.
This is a lovely idea! A creative & fun way to learn Maths!
What a fantastic idea. I’m defo gonna do this with my eldest who starts reception this sept x
Such a simple and great idea. I have Pinned it for later.x
What a fun way to learn. I will try this with the kids.
Love this idea! What a fun way to learn!
This is such a great idea – I wish I’d read this post while my girls were still pre-schoolers! What a fun way to prepare them for reception. x
Such a simple, yet obviously very effective thing to do. I may do this with my son now I know how easy it is to make. Thanks!
thank you – they certainly enjoyed it and we are going to do again but using the 2 times table x
Such a perfect way to learn at this time of year, love how you’ve joined maths with nature to make it so much more fun xx
This is a great idea! I’m going to do this with my 6 year old nanny charge 🙂