Number Sense: Body-Count + Zero Game

Level 2 strengthens comprehension + application, extending learning into reasoning and peer collaboration.

Objectives

Materials

Instructions

Materials

Large paper or whiteboard

Markers or crayons

Pictures of different family members (real photos or drawings)

Small manipulatives like buttons, dried beans, or small blocks (at least 20 per child)

A soft ball or beanbag

A container or basket for the ball

Learning Objectives

Children will be able to represent numbers up to 10 using one-to-one correspondence.

Children will be able to identify and understand the concept of zero.

Children will be participating in counting games with family themes.

Children will be able to follow simple game instructions.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Begin by gathering the children and showing them the pictures of family members. Ask them to identify who is in the pictures and how many people they see in each family.

2. Introduce the idea of counting as a way to know "how many" people are in their own families.

3. On the large paper, draw a simple outline of a house. Invite children to draw or place pictures of their family members inside or around the house.

4. As they add family members, ask them to count how many they have. "You have Mommy and Daddy. That's one, two! Two people in your family so far!"

5. Introduce the manipulatives. Explain that these can be like "family members" to count.

6. Say, "Let's pretend this button is one person in your family. If you have Grandma too, let's add another button. Now you have two buttons, just like two family members!"

7. Introduce the "Zero Game." Hold up the container and the ball. Explain that zero means "nothing" or "none." Say, "If there are no balls in the basket, that's zero balls." You can then demonstrate putting all the balls into the basket and say, "Now there are no balls left in my hands. I have zero balls!"

8. Play a simple ball-toss game. Say, "Let's count how many family members we can represent. I'll toss the ball to the person who can count out three buttons for their family." Then, take turns tossing the ball, with children counting out a number of manipulatives. Before you toss, ask, "Are there any balls in the basket? No? So there are zero balls in the basket!"

Educator Tip

For children who need more support, provide fewer manipulatives and focus on counting to three. For those ready for a challenge, encourage them to count to ten and introduce the concept of adding more or taking away. Ensure all children participate in a way that feels comfortable and safe, especially when handling small manipulatives. You can also encourage children to name their family members as they count them.

Assessment

Observe children's ability to count the manipulatives and connect the quantity to the number of family members they are representing. Note their understanding of the concept of zero when it's presented in the game. Look for their engagement and participation in the counting and ball-toss activities. You can also collect drawings of their families with counts noted.

Educator tip

Require complete thoughts (sentence frames); rotate roles in pairs; photograph work for portfolios.

Assessment

Assess against Early Learning Goals (ELGs). Document evidence of 'expected' or 'exceeding' descriptors. Note: independent application of skills, ability to explain reasoning, and capacity to build on prior learning. Anecdotal notes + quick product check (recording sheet accuracy, vocabulary use, cooperation).

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