Kimberly Amezcua

Math Instructional Activity

Title: Gift bag game

(Source: http://www.teachpreschool.org/2013/06/diy-kleenex-box-math-games/ )
Group size: 1 teacher, 1 child
Age: 5
Objective of the activity: Children will be able to make sets for numbers 1 through 5.

Learning outcomes:
6 A. E.C.d Connect numbers to quantities they represent using physical models and
informal representations. (Source: Illinois Early and Development Standards)
6 A.E.C.b Show understanding of how to count out and construct sets of a given number of
up to 5. (Source: Illinois Early and Development Standards)

Materials needed to make activity:

5 small gift bags
1 sentence strip
Construction paper (to make the pockets or buy pre-made/ self adhesive library pockets)
Scissors
Glue stick or tape
Marker
Container of Enough small items to use as math tokens (plastic counters,small wooden blocks
legos, etc.)

HOW TO MAKE THE GAME:

1. Tape an envelope or pre- made library pockets to each gift bag.

2. Cut out five smaller strips from one large sentence strip

3. On each small sentence strip, write one number on each strip all
the way to five( 1 one, 2 two, etc.)
 4. Insert one sentence strip into each pocket.

5. Place counters in a container next to the gift bags.

HOW TO PLAY THE GAME:

1. Set up the game by placing the gift bags on a table in a row. Place counters in a
container next to the gift bags.

2. Have the children pull out the number words in the pockets of their gift bags and then place
that many math tokens to count out the number of tokens that are represented on each card.

3. Have them work their way down the line, placing the amount of counters in the bag that are
listed without returning to any to recount the number they had in the previous bag.

4. When the children are done placing the items in the bag, ask them to take the strips back out
and ask them to help you count out loud how many counters that bag has.

5. Have every child practice their numbers 1-5 by letting them take turns with this activity.