>Children will learn to sort, count, and measure — block by block!

AGES 2–3

Materials:
• wooden unit blocks (or recycled blocks) of various sizes
• small plastic bins or containers (for sorting blocks)

Objective: Children will use blocks to play a variety of math games that will develop their ability to classify, seriate, and count.

Activity

Classification:
Choose four or five different unit blocks (square unit, double unit, small triangle, large triangle, small cylinder). Place several of each block in a pile in the middle of your group-time or block area and invite a small group of children to play. Keep one of each type of block aside. Ask each child to choose a block. Place the unit blocks that had been set aside in a line in the center of the circle. Ask children to place their block beside the matching block in the middle of the circle. After all of the blocks have been sorted, talk to the children about the different blocks.

Seriation:
Select three sizes of unit blocks to work with and collect several of each size block. Invite a small group of children to a floor area to play. Ask them to find the biggest blocks and place them in a separate pile on the floor. Encourage children to notice the two remaining sizes. Assist children in sorting the remaining blocks into two separate groups. Now invite children to choose one block from each pile. Show them how to line up their blocks from largest to smallest.

Counting and Measuring:
Prepare a sheet of chart paper to record children's counting and measuring investigations. Invite children to use wooden unit blocks or large cardboard blocks to measure an area of the classroom. Invite each child to choose one block and to line the blocks end to end. When all of the blocks have been lined up and the measurement is complete, assist children in counting the total amount of blocks used. Record the information on chart paper.

Curriculum Connection
Math, Music, and Movement. For this game, you will need a cassette recorder and favorite music cassette. Choose three small types of unit blocks and provide children with one of each. Draw matching shapes on large sheets of paper and tape the shapes onto the floor. Encourage children to hold their shape and dance to recorded music. When the music stops, they will stand near the matching paper shape.

Books
Brown Rabbit's Shape Book
by Alan Baker
(Larousse Kingfisher Chambers, Inc., 1999; $3.55)

A Pair of Socks*
by Stuart J. Murphy
(Scholastic Inc.; $3.95)

Shapes ("Let's Look at" series)
by Nicola Tuxworth
(Lorenz Books, 1998; $4.95)