January Math

To help the children solidfy basic math concepts, I've placed the following lessons on the shelves.  I appreciate how these types of materials add interest and intruige to the Montessori math materials for some children. 

Snowflake Count and Clip: Here, the child counts the number of snowflakes...



...and clips the clothespin to the corresponding number.  This activity promotes one-to-one correspondence and number symbol recognition while enhancing fine-motor control with the clothespins.  The child can check their work...

...on the back of the card.  These cards are available to make from Making Learning Fun.



One of my favorites that I look forward to each year:  Mittens and Snowflake Counting.



Here they are all laid out, sparkling snowflakes and all...! :)



Snowflakes and Numerals...



...all matched up.  Depedning on the child, they can either count the snowflakes first and then find the matching numeral, or the other way around (numerals first...). 



All three lessons on the shelf.

 Also, a new math game with a variation from ones in the past await the children.  I happen to have a clear, plastic tree which to me, looks very 'wintery.'  While setting things up in the classroom, I also found some craft-type decorating icicles, snowflake ornaments and white pom-poms.  The idea came to me to have the children cover the winter tree with theses items - After rolling the game die, the child hangs the corresponding number of items onto the winter tree.  Whoever uses up all of their pieces first wins the game.  As always, we encourage the children to shake hands at the end of the game and say, "Good game!"  

The 'Winter Tree Game' all set up.  Each child has a bucket filled with three decorative icicles, three snowflake ornaments, and three snowballs (white pom-poms).



The 'Winter Tree' all covered - game over!