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The Hungry Monster
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The Hungry Monster
Skills Developed:
Understanding of less than/greater than with numbers
Materials:
A copy of the book The Hungry Thing by Jan Slepian
Small cookies, goldfish, or other treat
On an index card draw a < symbol
Various colors of construction paper with the < drawn on it
White construction paper
Scissors
Glue sticks
Anticipatory:
Read The Hungry Thing to the children. As you read the book, point out how the monster only wants to eat the biggest amount.
Instructions:
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Draw on the board 3 and 7 cookies. Ask the children which group of cookies would the monster want to eat? Draw in the appropriate symbol. Do this for a few examples.
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On the table, make two different groups of the treat. Ask one of the children to pretend that he is the monster. Find out which group he would like to eat. Then have him place the index card to show which group he is going to eat. Once placed correctly, let him have the treat. Repeat this so that all of the children get a chance to do this.
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Show the children how to make their own < monster. Cut out pieces of the white paper and paste them as teeth on the inside of the mouth.
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Re-read The Hungry Thing. Have the children use their monsters to show which group the hungry thing is going to eat. It may help to write each set on the board so that the example is bigger. It may help some children who are still struggling to be able to walk up to the board and make their monster eat the bigger number.
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Over a number of days use beans, rice, M&Ms or any other item that is visual to have the children practice using their <> monsters.
Variation:
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Use paper sacks to create monsters. The child can pretend to be eating the numbers with his or her puppet. If you use this method, be sure to draw in a < or > sign with the example so that the child becomes familiar with the symbols.
If you do not yet own The Hungry Thing by Jan Slepian then order your copy today!
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