Kick-Start Kindergarten: Counting and Sorting with School Supplies

 

Happy New School Year!

        It's August, so it's time to meet my new group of Kinder Bunnies. The Kinder Bunnies arrive with bright eyes, eager minds, and school supplies! Most of us remember the excitement of getting new crayons, pencils, and notebooks. But did you know these everyday items offer learning opportunities, especially in mathematics? 

         We have been working on sorting school supplies by color, shape, and size, along with counting. Let’s dive into how to utilize school supplies for counting and sorting activities, setting the foundation for your kindergartener’s math journey.

  Crayon Color Counting

Supplies: A box of crayons 24 or more.

Activity:

- Spread the crayons out and have your child sort them by color.

- Once sorted, ask them to count how many crayons are in each group.

- Extension: Introduce simple addition by combining groups. For example, "How many crayons do we have if we combine the red and blue ones?"

-Ask classmates or family members what their favorite color is to create a graph. 

                                    Pencil Length Comparison

Supplies Needed: Different-sized pencils, cubes, or any object to help with non-standard measurement.

Activity:

- Line up the pencils from shortest to longest.

- Ask questions such as "Which pencil is the shortest? Which is the longest?"

- Extension: Use cubes or other objects to measure each pencil.

                                Button Size and Shape Sort

Supplies Needed: Various buttons (from home or craft stores)

Activity:

- Spread the buttons and have your kindergartener sort them by size or shape.

- Count how many buttons are in each group.

- Discuss the different attributes of each button: size, number of holes, color, etc. * Not recommended for children four years old. Watch carefully.

              Remember to read Pete the Cat's Four Groovy Buttons.

                               

Sticker Patterns

Supplies Needed: A packet of stickers

Activity:

- Create patterns using the stickers, like circle-star-circle or blue-red-blue-red.

- Ask your child to extend the pattern.

- Count how many of each sticker type are in the pattern.

Wrap-up!

       Using school supplies for counting and sorting integrates learning into a fun, hands-on activity and familiarizes young students with the tools they’ll be using throughout the year. It's a win-win!

      The beginning of the school year is essential for setting the foundation for future learning. Turning something as simple as school supplies into a learning tool teaches your kindergarteners that learning opportunities are everywhere!

                               Happy counting and sorting!