Elementary Test Prep (Grades PreK-K)number names

Spotted Giraffes- Create a giraffe pattern on construction paper for each numeral you would like to include. Label each pattern with a different numeral, then cut out and laminate the patterns. To do this activity, ask a child to create play-dough spots equal to the number of spots on each giraffe. Have the child place the appropriate number of spots on each giraffe. When the work is correct, have the child roll all of the little spots into one ball, ready for the next child to visit the center. (Mary F. Philip-MD.)

Feeding Sammy the Squirrel- Sammy the squirrel is a hungry critter in this counting center. In advance collect a supply of acorns. Reproduce, color and cut out a squirrel. Tape or glue the squirrel to a bucket. Then program each of a supply of index cards with a different numeral. Place the bucket, a bowl of acorns, the numeral cards, and tongs in a center. To use this center, a child chooses a numeral card and uses the tongs to transfer the correct number of acorns from the bowl to the bucket to feed Sammy. (Jennifer Barton-CT)

Apple Pickin'- Little ones will be delighted to do this "apple-tizing" number center. For each number you would like to include, create an apple, stem, and leaves on construction paper. Program each apple with a numeral, each leaf with a number word, and each stem with dots. Laminate the patterns if desired. To use this center, a child matches the corresponding apples, stems, and leaves. Vary this center by providing a large supply of blank construction-paper apples so that each child can write the correct numeral on each apple. (Lynette McCaulley-NJ)

All -Star Counting-Coach your youngsters to have a ball with this counting game that has them bouncing right into numeral writing! Before playing, gather a basketball, whistle, small chalkboard, chalk and eraser. Have students sit in a circle while you stand in the center. Select a child to be the scorekeeper and give him the chalk, chalkboard, and eraser. Next, bounce the ball and have all youngsters count the number of bounces. Instruct the scorekeeper to write the numeral that represents the correct number of bounces. Check his work, then blow your whistle to signal the child to pass the scorekeeping supplies to the next child. Continue to play until each child had had a turn to keep score. What a winner!