After reading, the students used a chart I created to identify the correct number of objects in the story and then represent that number using connecting cubes. After students built the numbers, their classmates would give them either a Thumbs Up or a Thumbs Down and explain why they agreed or disagreed with the representation. This process allowed us to have interesting conversations about numbers and how some numbers are bigger than others.
By the end of our class discussion, we created the chart below.
I asked, “What do you notice about the cubes?” One student said, “Five is less than ten” and I asked them to prove this to me. Another student pointed to the 4 cubes by the seals and said it is one more than the 3 cubes by the scooters. I also asked students did they see anything that was the same. The students made great discoveries about the numbers 1 through 10 using this book.
Lastly, each student completed a comparison activity using the Number Detective booklets that I created. Check out some of their work. Click here to download the free Number Detective booklet.
Love how you used this book! What a rich text!
Tara
The Math Maniac
Thanks so much Tara! I really enjoyed reading your teaching ideas for One Big Pair of Underwear.
Would you believe I have this book sitting on my desk to use the week after Thanksgiving! And now I have a wonderful lesson to go along with it. My lucky day!
That is a best compliment an educator can receive. Thank you! Please come back and post to let me know how it went.
Greg
This would be great for an observation that I have coming up sometime soon.
I am so happy to hear that! There are some other great ideas on how to use this book on Laura's website and in The Math Maniac's post. I linked both websites in my post. Thank you!
Greg
Great post, Greg!
Math Coach’s Corner
Thank you Donna!
Greg
Such great ideas for using One Big Pair of Underwear in the classroom! Thanks, Greg!
Thank you Laura! I knew from the first time I read this, it was great. Several math teaching ideas started to flow through my head. I really enjoyed this experience.
Greg aka Mr Elementary Math