I know many of you begin the year by teaching the children to write numerals. If you practice singing this song as you make the movements in the air it will be much easier for the children to write them with a pencil.
Note! The term "numeral" refers to the symbol and the term "number" refers to the amount, although most people use them interchangeably.
Come right down and that is all. (Use index finger and middle finger
Come right down and that is all. to do “invisible” writing in the air.)
Come right down and that is all
To make the numeral one. (Hold up 1 finger.)
2 – Curve around and slide to the right…
3 – Curve in and around again…
4 – Down, over, down some more…
5 – Down, around, put on a hat…
6 – Curve in and around again…
7 – Slide to the right and slant it down…
8 – Make an “s” then close the gate…
9 – Circle around then come right down…
10 – Come right down, then make a zero…
We can sing the “Numeral Song”…
And make numerals all day long!
*Let children suggest other body parts they can write with, such as their elbow, foot, nose, etc.
*Have children do invisible writing on each other’s backs.
*Make writing wands that children can use to make the numerals in the air by taping 18” pieces of caution tape or ribbon to craft sticks.
*Download highway numbers at makinglearningfun.com and let children trace over these as you sing.
Hint! Put a green dot where they start and a red dot where they finish.
*Make play dough plates by writing numerals on plates with a permanent marker. Children roll the play dough and place it on top of the plate. Can they make a set of objects to match the numeral?
*Squirt shaving cream (non-menthol) on a table or smooth surface and ask children to write numeral. They can also draw shapes in the shaving cream. Clean up with a sponge and you’ll have clean tables and hands!
*Have children trace numerals in a sand tray or sand box.