Objects in Order (Ordering)

Skill: Children can order three objects that vary in one size dimension.

Materials: Three objects of the same shape that vary in one size dimension, such as diameter.

Procedure: WATCH WHAT I DO! Line up the objects in order from fattest to thinnest (longest to shortest, tallest to shortest). Now I’ll MIX THEM UP. (Do so) PUT THEM IN A ROW LIKE I DID. If the child does the task with three objects, try it with five.

Evaluation: Note whether the objects are placed in correct sequence.

Shape Matching (Matching)

Skill: Child can match shape pieces to the same size shape piece on the shape mats.

Materials: 48 shape pieces 8 mats

Procedure: Place the Shape Mats to the matching sides. Have the child match shape to shape

Evaluation: The child should be able to make all matches.

Shape Sorting (Shape)

Skill: Child takes a shape, and then places it on the corresponding mat with the shape names.

Materials: 48 shape piece 8 mats

Procedure: These fun sorting pieces provide an irresistible way to practice sorting hands-on.

Evaluation: The child should be able to sort all shape pieces on the correct mat.

Group of Objects (Comparing)

Skill: Shown a set of one and six or more, the child can identify which set has more.

Materials: Twenty counters (eg., peanuts, bears, and cube blocks)

Procedure: Place tow groups of objects in front of the child: one group with a set of one object and one group with a set of six or more. Ask WHICH HAS MORE (object name)? POINT TO THE ONE WITH MORE.

Evaluation: Note if the child identifies the group that contains more.

Block Sort (Classifying)

Skill: While playing the child groups the blocks by various criteria such as color, shape,

size, class name, and so on.

Materials: Assortment of blocks

Procedure: As the child plays with the blocks, note were their toys are grouped by classification criteria, such as color, shape, size, class names, and so on. Ask; Show me the red blocks? Find some square blocks.

Evaluation: The child should naturally group by similarities, should be able to group objects by at least on or two colors, and should be able to find object from the same class.

Counting & Link (Numbers)

Skill:

Child can count the correct links.

Materials: Elephant Number Card Linking Chains

Procedure: Invite a child to choose and elephant and identify its numbers. Help the child count out the corresponding number of links.

Evaluation: Child should be able to, put the correct links of the elephant and count them.

Scale measuring (Measurement)

Skill: Child evidences an understanding that differentcontainers hold different amount.

Materials: Scale Different size containers, fill with Different items such as rice, water, beads, beans, and so on

Procedure: Let the children experiment with filling and pouring. Note any behavior that indicates they recognize that different containers hold different amount.

Evaluation: Child should experiment, filling, containers and measuring which on weighs more.

How Likes Spiders? (Graphing)

Skill: Graph who likes and dislikes spiders in the classroom

Materials: Poster board Smiley face cutouts Spider cutouts Markers

Procedure: Talk with children about Spiders Talk about the different kinds of spiders. Explain how many different spiders

there are. Discuss how many legs spiders have. After talking about spiders, have the children put their smiley face under the I like

spiders or dislike spiders. Allow time for the children to talk about spiders. Talk about which roll is taller, which roll is shorter and which if they may be the

same. Count each roll to see if more children like or dislike spiders.

Evaluation: Children learn about spiders and why we have spiders in the world. Who likes or dislikes spiders.

SPACE

Skill: Given a spatial relationship word, the child is able to place objects relative to other objects on the basis of that word.

Materials: Several small containers (four small plastic glasses) Several small objects (four small toys figure fish, dog, and

mouse)

Procedure:Put the fish (dog, mouse) in the container. Repeat using other space words: on, off of, out of, in front of, next to, under, over.

Evaluation: Observe whether the child is able to follow the instructions and place the object correctly relative to the space word used.

Apple’s (Parts and wholes)

Skills:The child can recognize that a whole divided into parts is still the same amount.

Materials: Apples Knife (for teachers use only)

Procedure:Show the child the apple. “How many apples do I have?” After you are certain the child understands that there is one apple, cut the apple into two equal halves. “How many apples do I have now?” “How many apples do I have now?” Then cut the apple into fourths and eights, following the same procedure.

Evaluation:If the child can tell you that there is still one apple when it is cut into parts, she is able to mentally reverse the cutting process and may be leaving the preoperational period.