Numbers You Can Count On

Texture and counting meet creativity and expression as children model numbers and explore arithmetic.

• 1.

  Choose a favorite one-digit number.

• 2.

  Knead Crayola® Model Magic, and roll it into a 3/4-inch (2 cm) coil. Shape the coil into the desired numeral.

• 3.

  Create the same number of dents, holes, ridges, or impressions as the numeral represents. These are some possible methods for making them deep or high enough to feel:<li>Carve or press with plastic knives, wooden spoons, and other found objects. <li>To make contrasting inlays, poke a hole with a pencil eraser, then drop a small Model Magic ball into the hole and press firmly. <li>Make narrow, crosswise dents by pressing the blunt side of a plastic knife into the coil. Add contrasting strips of color by laying small coils of another color into the dents. Press firmly. <li>Pinch Model Magic up to make ridges and bumps. Fill with small coils of another color, and pinch to hold in place.

Benefits

• Students reinforce their knowledge about the meaning of number by designing a numeral that represents math concepts through texture (impressions, ridges, dents, holes).
• Children use their numerals to do simple addition and multiplication calculations, or to make sets.

Adaptations

• Match numerals with children who can benefit from additional hands-on work with math concepts.
• Children make up addition or multiplication problems for each other or themselves with the numerals. Find solutions by counting the bumps or ridges. Try subtraction, too.