Rooster’s Off to See the World Primary Activity Packet – Download version

Description

Contains 23 activities for the primary classroom with black line and full color masters.  This is the printed version for those that prefer to have a full color booklet printed, bound and mailed (outside US is extra, email info@TLJConsultingGroup.com for pricing). 93 pages, 26 each blackline and full color masters, full facilitation notes, teacher prep notes, materials list, CCSSM standards addressed for each activity, sample questions, and extension activity ideas.

Roosters Off to See the World, by Eric Carle, is a beloved children’s book.  Not only does the story engage children it can also serve as a foundation for many mathematical investigations for primary mathematicians.  There is evidence that when mathematical investigations are presented to students in a way that is more meaningful to them, they have more success in both learning and understanding the material. “Through varied opportunities for investigation, books support readers in developing healthy attitudes and dispositions about mathematical activity” (David Whitin, 2004).

One interesting and important concept in mathematics is Pascal’s Triangle.  (Click the link to learn more about Pascal and his triangle.)  The combination of Roosters Off to See the World and the related mathematical concepts that can be found in Pascal’s Triangle allows students a fun, unique, and engaging venue for developing mathematical literacy.

The following activities are a sample of the possible uses for these materials in the primary mathematics classroom.  These activities are flexible enough to be used for leveled instruction in the primary grades, even into early intermediate grades.  A second grader who is still struggling with counting can benefit from the counting activities denoted with kindergarten standards.  Also many of these activities can be first introduced in small or large group instruction and then rotate out to a center or learning station.

The main focus standards from the CCSSM have been identified at the beginning of each cluster of activities. Notice that for many of the activities the standards transcend two or all three of the primary grades. This was intentional to show the possible development of the learning trajectories for a topic and the possibilities for leveled instruction. Geometry connections although thin are there as well, just not identified as focus standards.

Materials are listed for each of the activities. Both black line masters as well as color masters have been provided. Suggestions for preparing the materials have been noted as well to facilitate making classroom sets for long term use. Additional manipulatives such as number cubes, counters, base ten materials, MIRA™ Math Geometry Tool, additional trade books, etc. have been suggested as well. Also, this document contains active hyperlinks for the teacher’s use when viewed in PDF format.

The facilitation notes provide teachers with an overview of the various activities and possible extensions. In some cases, comments about student misconceptions and specific strategies to implement have been noted. Additionally, there is a section of sample questions for each of the activities. These represent just a sampling of the types of questions to use when working with primary mathematicians. Some of these questions will help them begin the activity, some serve as moving questions to advancing them to the next level, and some are extension questions for differentiation. These can even be printed out and taped to index cards to facilitate their use in the classroom.

This products is authorized for one user.