Balloon Time
Learning Standards/ Mathematics Foundation 1: Numeracy Early learners develop foundational skills in learning to understand counting, cardinality, written numerals, quantity, and comparison.
M1.3: Recognition of number relations
- Infant – Explore objects one at a time
- Younger Toddler - Identify which is more
- Older Toddler - Visually identify sets of quantities of large differences (using terms more and/or fewer)
- Younger Preschool - Readily identify first and last
- Older Preschool - Identify when 2 sets are equal using matching and counting strategies
Materials Needed
I have a Balloon by Ariel Bernstein, beach ball or balloon, string, tape, and a small paper cup.
Part 1: Read-aloud
I have a Balloon by Ariel Bernstein
Part 2: Discussion
Ask the students if they have ever seen a hot air balloon? Have you ever been in a hot air balloon? What looks like a model of a hot air balloon? Answer: a small beach ball, a party balloon, a water tower (sometimes).
Part 3: Activity
- Blow up a balloon and discuss the shape and color (A beach ball may be used in place of a balloon. In that case, go directly to part D.)
- Blow up another balloon and compare the shape and color
- Repeat
- Ask students to tap the balloon up gently to a classmate (instructing everyone to stay in the spot to avoid accidents)
- Have more balloons (or beach balls) ready for the group to discuss the color, shape, and number of balloons
- Make a model hot air balloon with the students for display
Part 4: Summary
Today you learned about hot air balloons and the shape of them. You learned how to work together to tap the balloon (or ball) around to make it a fun game. You can make models. You can make games. You can count balloons and other things.
