I
can’t think of a good reason why everyone who teaches young children shouldn’t
have these number vests in
their classroom. You can write
them yourself or download them free at makinglearningfun.com. (Better yet, ask a parent to download
them for you!) Put them in clear
sheet protectors, punch holes at the top, tie on string, and you’ve got a math
tool to use all year long!
Hint! You’ll have to make your own =, +, -,
and < and > signs.
Counting
- Have children get in numerical order according to the number they are
wearing.
Songs
- Wear number vests as you sing “Five Little Monkeys,” “I Know An Old Lady Who
Swallowed a One,” and other songs.
Writing
– Children can trace over the numerals with a dry erase marker and then
erase. They could also drive over
the numerals with a little car or roll play dough and put it on top of the
numerals.
Number
Words – Write number words on the back of the vests. Use them interchangeably in rhymes and
counting.
Inequalities - Put up two numbers and have children
choose “<” or “>” to go between them.
Addition
and Subtraction - Have children make number sentences using the numbers and
signs on the vests.
Fact
Families – Move numbers around to demonstrate different fact families.
Word
Problems – Use number vests to engage children in solving word problems.
Dot to Dot - Make a giant pencil by covering a paper
towel roll with yellow paper. Wrap
orange paper around the bottom for the “eraser” and insert a black cone in the
other end for the “point.” Pass
out numbers and have children scatter around the room. One child takes the pencil and goes
from “0” to “10” by “connecting the dots.”
