Skills:            sets                                       fact families
                     patterns                                 algebra

Materials:     large, dry lima beans, spray paint, breath mint tin

Directions:   Spread the lima beans on newspaper and spray paint one side. Give each child ten beans to put in their container. 

Use the beans for some of the activities below.

Counting

Have the children count their beans.

Sets

Can you make a set of 5?  Can you make a set of zero?

Addition and Subtraction

Make a set of 3 and a set of 4.  Put them together.  How many in all?  Make a set of 9.  Take 3 away.  How many are left?

Patterns

Have the children make a pattern with their beans.  Can they make an A-B pattern?  How about an A-A-B pattern? 

Fact Families

Have the children put 5 beans in their tin and shake them. 
Open.  How many colored ones?  How many white ones?  How many in all?  Close and shake again.  How many colored ones?   How many white ones?  How many in all?  Continue having children shake the beans to discover the different combinations of five.  Have them write down their different combinations.

Algebra

Take a specific number of beans (say 4) and put them on top of the tin.  Tell the children to close their eyes while you hide some beans in the tin (say 3).  Can they figure out how many are hidden in the tin?  Continue using different amounts and hiding beans in the tin.

Math Mat

Skills:         number concepts; addition; subtraction

Materials:   file folder or poster board 12” x 10”, counting toys, fact cards

Directions:  Draw lines on the folder similar to the one shown on the math office.  (There is a download for this in Math Office.)  Demonstrate how to make a set in the top left section and a set in the top right section.  Count.  Pull down the objects into the bottom section and count how many altogether.   Children take fact cards and join sets using the math mat.

Adaptations:    

     Have children create their own number stories using the math mats.

     Use math mats for demonstrating how to find the missing addend.

Shooters

Here’s a “quickie” math game similar to “rock, scissors, paper” that you can play if you have a few minutes.  Each child will need a partner.  Children open  one palm.  Make a fist with the other hand and place it on the palm.  Count, “One, two, three.” as children tap their fist on their palm.  On the count of “three,” they “shoot” (stick out) some fingers.  Children add their fingers with their partner’s and say the answer.  If they agree, they continue with the game.  If they disagree, they have to work it out.  (See download in Math Office for the Math Mat.)

You could also let children keep points as they play this game.  The first one to say the answer gets a point.