MAXIMIZING MATH MOMENTS: THEY HAPPEN

EVERY DAY
Grade Level: First Grade
Presented by: Ellen Zainea, Knapp Charter Academy, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Length of Unit: Daily Lessons for 16 Days; Thereafter Ongoing Throughout the Year

I. ABSTRACT
This yearlong unit provides a daily, structured framework of hands on, meaningful activities, which
enable students to practice and master important concepts and skills included in the Core
Knowledge Sequence for First Grade Math. The central focus is based on various linear and
sequential calendars, a number line, a one to one hundred number chart and various manipulatives
for counting. Links to topics in language arts, social studies, and science are included. Because a
different child leads the activities each day, they provide an opportunity for 1:1 authentic
assessment by the teacher. Feedback is immediate.

II. OVERVIEW
A. Concept Objectives:
1. Students will develop an understanding of whole numbers
2. Students will develop an understanding of place value: ones, tens, and hundreds.
3. Students will know the days of the week and the months of the year both in order and
out of sequence.
4. Students will learn orientation in time: today, yesterday, tomorrow; morning, afternoon,
evening, night; this morning vs. yesterday morning, etc.
B. Content covered from Core Knowledge Sequence
1. Recognize and write numbers 0-100.
2. Count from 0 to 100 by ones; twos; fives; tens.
3. Count forward and backward
4. Use tallies
5. Identifying and counting more and less;
6. Recognize pla ce value: ones, tens, hundreds
7. Know the days of the week and the months of the year, both in order and out of
sequence.
8. Orientation in time: today, yesterday, tomorrow; morning, afternoon evening, night; this
morning vs. yesterday morning, etc.
C. Skills
1. The student will count and write 0 to 100, by ones, twos, fives, and tens;
2. The student will count up and down a number line and chart by ones, twos, fives, and
tens.
3. The student will count to a given number, which is a number more, or less than the given
number.
4. The student will, in a three-digit number, identify and write the numeral in the ones,
tens, and hundreds place
5. The student will make a representational model of base ten numbers through the
hundreds place using various manipulatives.
6. The student will name the days of the week and months of the year through the use of
the calendar and learn orientation in time.

III. BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE

A. For Teachers:
1. Bennett, A. B., Jr., & Nelson, L. T. Mathematics An Informal Approach. Boston, MA:
Allyn and Bacon, 1985. 0-205-08305-6.

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 2. Lorton, M. B. Mathematics Their Way. Menlo Park, CA: Addison-Wesley, 1976. 0-
201-00494-1.
3. Zainea, E. “Making the Most of Everyday Mathematics Time.” Teacherlink. Chicago,
IL: Everyday Learning, 1997.
B. For Students:
1. The student will have a basic understanding of: counting forward by ones and
recognizing numerals from 1 to 31; counting backward from 10; counting by fives and
tens to 50; sequencing events; orientation in time; days of the week and months of the
year.

IV. RESOURCES
A. Bang, Molly. Ten, Nine, Eight.
B. Carle, Eric. A House for Hermit Crab.
C. Carle, Eric . 1, 2, 3, To the Zoo.
D. Carle, Eric. Rooster’s Off to See the World.
E. Carle, Eric. Today is Monday.
F. Franco, Betsy. Counting Caterpillars and Other Math Poems.
G. Haber, Jon. 1, 2, 3, Under the Sea..
H. Hutchings, Amy & Richard. The Gummy Candy Counting Book.
I. McGrath, Barbara Barbieri. The Cheerios Counting Book.
J. Liatsos, Sandra. Poems to Count On.
K. Maccarone, Grace. Monster Math.
L. Miranda, Anne. Monster Math.
M. Powell, Polly. Monster Math.
N. O’Leary, John. Ten on a Train.
O. Philpot, Lorna & Grahm. Amazing Anthony Ant.
P. Pinzes, Elinor. One Hundred Hungry Ants.
Q. Sendak, Maurice. Chicken Soup With Rice.
R. Slater, Teddy. Ready or Not, Here I Come!

V. LESSONS
Lesson One: Count on Me
A. Daily Objectives
1. Concept Objective:
a. Students will develop an understanding of whole numbers
2. Lesson Content
a. Recognize and write numbers 0 to 100
b. Count from 0 to 100 by ones; twos; fives; tens
c. Count backward
d. Use tallies
e. Identify and count more or less
3. Skills
a. The student will count and write 0 to 100 by ones, twos, fives and tens.
b. The student will count up and down a number line and chart by ones, twos, fives
and tens.
c. The student will count to a given number, which is a number more, or less than the
given number.
B. Materials
1. Ten, Nine, Eight by Molly Bang
2. A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle
3. 1, 2, 3, To the Zoo by Eric Carle
4. Rooster’s Off to See the World by Eric Carle

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 5. 1, 2, 3, Under the Sea by Jon Haber.
6. The Gummy Candy Counting Book by Amy and Richard Hutchings
7. The Cheerios Counting Book by Amy and Richard Hutchings
8. Monster Math by Grace Maccarone.
9. Monster Math by Polly Powell
9. Ten on a Train by John O’Leary
10. Amazing Anthony Ant by Lorna and Graham Philpot
11. One Hundred Hungry Ants by Elinor Pinzes
12. Ready or Not, Here I Come! by Teddy Slater
13. Appendix A
14. Display size 1 to 100 number chart
15. Pointer stick
16. Wicky Stix
17. 3x5 index cards (for assessment and < and > cards) (See Appendix A)
18. Playing cards
19. Yarn
20. Manipulatives for extension activities (See Appendix A)
C. Key Vocabulary
1. Numbers-symbols that tell us how many of something there are
2. Counting- naming numbers in order to tell how many
3. Counting forward- saying numbers in order so that the number that comes after a
number is always more
4. Counting backward- saying numbers in order so that the number that comes after a
number is always less
5. Greater than- numbers that come after when counting forward
6. Less than- numbers that come before in counting
7. >- the symbol for greater than
8. <- the symbol for less than
9. Between- when an object has something on either side of it, it is between them.
10. Before- when something comes ahead of another
11. After- later or following
12. Month- used to measure time. A month lasts 30 or 31 days
D. Procedures/Activities
Days One Through Five
1. Teacher reads a book such as The Gummy Candy Counting Book.
2. Teacher introduces hundreds chart and explains it will be used each day to practice
counting.
3. Teacher models counting up to thirty by ones on the number chart with pointer and then
repeats the procedure two more times with the students counting along.
4. Teacher models counting down from thirty by ones on the number chart with pointer,
and then repeats the procedure two more times with the students counting.
5. Repeat this procedure daily beginning with teacher reading counting books such as:
Rooster’s Off to See the World;1, 2, 3 To the Zoo; Ten on a Train; Ready or Not, Here I
Come; Ten, Nine, Eight.
Day Six
6. Teacher reads One Hundred Hungry Ants.
7. Child who is helper of the day, with guidance as needed from the teacher, leads the
counting procedure modeled on Days One through Five one time. This procedure now
becomes part of the daily routine throughout the year. (Making a helper schedule with
the 3x5” cards arranged in order by first names provides an opportunity for teaching
alphabetical order. See Appendix A.)

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 8. Teacher models counting by tens to one hundred on the number chart with pointer and
then repeats the procedure two more times with the students counting.
Day Seven Through Ten
9. Repeat this procedure daily beginning with teacher reading counting books such as The
Cheerios Counting Book; Amazing Anthony Ant; Monster Math..(Two books are entitled
Monster Math)
Day Eleven
10. Child who is helper of the day, with guidance as needed by the teacher, now leads the
counting by ones and tens one time. This procedure now becomes part of the daily
routine throughout the year.
11. Teacher models counting by fives to one hundred in a clap hop pattern. For each
number ending in five, teacher hops. For numbers ending in 0, teacher hops. (Appendix
A)
12. Teacher and students repeat this procedure two more times.
Days Twelve Through Fifteen
13. Procedure for Day 11 is repeated.
Day Sixteen
14. Child who is helper of the day, with guidance as needed by the teacher, now leads the
counting by ones, tens, and fives one time. This procedure now becomes part of the
daily routine throughout the year.
15. Teacher models counting by twos up to twenty, pointing to the number chart and saying
“Two, four, six, eight, ten. That’s so fun I’ll do it again. twelve, fourteen, sixteen,
eighteen, twenty—You want numbers? We’ve got plenty!”
16. Teacher and students repeat this procedure two more times.
Days Seventeen Through Twenty
17. Procedures for Days 16 are repeated.
Days Twenty Through Twenty-five
18. Child helper now leads entire daily counting procedure. Gradually increase counting by
twos with modeling and assistance as needed.
19. Teacher or child names a number and decides to count up or down to a certain number
from the chosen number. Circle each number with Wicky Stix and count up or down the
number chart to find the difference of how many more or less. Measuring this is always
a high interest activity. (Appendix A).
Days Twenty-five through Thirty
20. Following counting, the More or Less Game (See Appendix A) is constructed by
children.
21. Teacher demonstrates how the game is played. This game should be played weekly
throughout the year.
Days Thirty-one and Throughout the School Year
22. Continue counting forward procedure but also count on from thirty so that the forward
counting goes as far as the number of days in school.
23. From time to time, choose higher numbers and count backward from them. A 101 to
200 number chart may be used if desired.
24. Throughout the year, along with this activity, children participate in Counting Activities
to practice and reinforce these skills. (Appendix A).
E. Evaluation/Assessment
1. Students will correctly follow the procedures learned in this lesson. (This assessment is
easily accomplished through direct observation during these lesson procedures. Note the
results on the 3x 5 index cards.)

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 Lesson Two: Terrific Tens
A. Daily Objective
1. Concept Objective:
a. Students will develop an understanding of place value: ones, tens and hundreds.
2. Lesson Content
a. Recognizing place value: ones, tens and hundreds.
3. Skill Objective
a. The student will, in a three-digit number, identify and write the numeral in the
ones, tens and hundreds place.
b. The student will make a representational model of base ten numbers through the
hundreds place using manipulatives of colored craft sticks and containers
representing place value.
B. Materials
1. Appendix B
2. Three ½ pint milk cartons covered with contact paper marked Ones, Tens, and
Hundreds.
3. Assortment of colored craft sticks (A different color for each month)
4. Rubber bands
5. Poster putty or magnets to attach milk cartons to dry erase board display area
6. Dry erase markers
7. Marvelous Marker Matt (Various sizes; See Appendix B for pattern)
8. Materials listed in Appendix B for extension activities
C. Key Vocabulary
1. Place value- the position of a number that shows how much it is worth.
D. Procedures/Activities
Day One
1. Teacher explains that for each day of school, a craft stick will be placed in one of the
milk cartons. Each month will have its special color stick.
2. Teacher places a stick in the “Ones” carton and writes the numeral 1 above it.
Days Two Through Nine
3. Teacher directs helper child to place a stick in the Ones carton. The total number of
sticks is counted and appropriate numeral is written above carton.
Day Ten
4. After the tenth stick is placed in the “Ones” carton, the teacher explains that groups of
ten are only allowed to live in the “Tens” carton. The sticks are bundled with a rubber
band and moved to new housing in the “Tens” carton.
5. Teacher directs student to write the numeral 1 on top of the Tens carton and the numeral
0 on top of the “Ones” carton.
6. Teacher leads a silent cheer for the numeral zero, explaining that without that numeral
there would be no way to tell the difference between one and ten.
Days Eleven Through Day Ninety Nine
7. Each successive day a stick is added to the “Ones” carton. Number writing and banding
groups of tens continues.
Day One Hundred
8. The ten bundles of ten are banded together and placed in the “Hundreds” carton.
Day One Hundred One Through Close of School
9. The procedure continues.
E. Evaluation/Assessment
1. Students will correctly follow the procedures learned in this lesson. (This assessment is
easily accomplished through direct observation during these lesson procedures. Note
the results on the 3x 5 index cards.)

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 Lesson Three: People in Places
A. Daily Objectives:
1. Concept Objective
a. The student will develop an understanding of base place value: ones, tens, and
hundreds
2. Lesson Content
a. Recognize place value: ones, tens and hundreds.
3. Skill Objectives
a. The student will, in a three-digit number, identify the number in the ones, tens and
hundreds place
B. Materials
1. Appendix C
2. Three sets of Digit Cards to be worn around the neck
3. Yarn
4. Outside area or gym
5. Playing cards
C. Key Vocabulary
1. Place value: the position of a number that shows how much it is worth.
D. Procedures/Activities
1. Teacher directs students in a game of People in Places (Appendix C)
E. Evaluation/Assessment
1. Teacher observation, recorded on a 3x5 index card, of the children when they are
assigned a place to go and stand in the activity. If they have mastered the objective they
should go to the right place value spot. For observers, they are asked to give the place
of a classmate. For example, I might ask a student "What place is Johnny in?”

Lesson Four: It’s About Time

A. Daily Objectives
1. Concept Objectives
a. Students will know the days of the week and the months of the year both in order
and out of sequence.
b. Students will learn orientation in time: today, yesterday, tomorrow; morning,
afternoon, evening, night; this morning vs. yesterday morning, etc.
2. Lesson Content
a. Knowing the days of the week and months of the year, both in order and out of
sequence
b. Orientation in time: today, yesterday, tomorrow; morning, afternoon, evening,
night; this morning vs. yesterday morning, etc.
3. Skill Objectives
a. The student will name the days of the week and months of the year through the use
of the calendar and learn orientation in time.
B. Materials
1. Appendix D
2. Today is Monday by Eric Carle
3. A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle
4. Chicken Soup With Rice by Maurice Sendak
5. A supply of 3½ x2” construction paper cards with a different color for each month
(These must be the same color as the numeral cards for the calendar and for the craft
sticks used in Terrific Tens.
6. One 9x12” construction paper card for each month (These must be the same color as
craft sticks and cards used that month.)

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 7. Dry erase board and markers
8. Poster putty
9. An Old Days Box (A shoebox labeled “Old Days: Yesterdays…Gone, But Not
Forgotten”)
10. Cards with names of the days of the week and months of the year
11. Card labeled “Days of the Week Waiting Room” This is posted over the curtain
12. A “curtain” (Piece of material which covers the names of the days of the week which
have not yet occurred)
13. A supply of materials for drawing, painting and writing
14. Spiral notebook for each student to use as journal
15. Spiral notebook for class journal
C. Key Vocabulary
1. Month- a measurement of time lasting 30 or 31 days
2. Calendar-used to measure time and shows the order of days and months.
3. Today- the present day
4. Tomorrow- the day after today
5. Yesterday- the day before today
6. Morning- the time from midnight to noon
7. Afternoon- the part of the day between noon and sunset
8. Evening- the later part of the day and the early part of the night
9. Night- the time of the day when no light of the sun can be seen
D. Procedures/Activities
Day One (First Day of School)
1. Teacher defines month and calendar and explains that the class will be recording each
date of the month during the school year and counting each day of school.
2. The following steps are also shown in Appendix D.
3. Teacher writes across the board: (Month’s name) Days in School.
4. On the first day of school the teacher writes the numeral 1 on a small card and places it
under this heading.
5. Teacher also writes appropriate day of the month on a numeral card and places it in the
correct place on the calendar.
6. Teacher reads the date on the pull off calendar saying Today is: (Day of the Week)_
(Month) (Date)_ (Year). (Appendix D).
7. Teacher mentions an event that will be taking place that day. For example, “Today we
will have a special assembly.” This is written on the board and students also record it in
their daily journals.
8. Teacher sings the Days of the Week song one time and then invites children to sing
along with her one time .(Appendix D)
Day Two
9. Teacher repeats the procedure of Day One adding the appropriate number on both the
calendar and on the number line (Days in School).
10. Teacher counts days of school and days of the month. Teacher invites children to count
along repeating the procedure two more times.
11. Teacher reads the date on the pull off calendar and then points out that it doesn’t match
the display calendar. What should be done? This date is the old day called yesterday.
12. Teacher mentions an event that happened yesterday. The old date is torn off and placed
in the Old Days: Yesterdays box. Teacher mentions an event that took place the day
before (yesterday) and one that will be taking place that day. These are recorded on the
board.
Days Three Through Five
13. Teacher reads each of these books on a different day: Chicken Soup With Rice, A House
for Hermit Crab, Today is Monday.

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 14. Procedure described for Day One and Day Two is repeated.
15. After the old day is placed in the box, teacher tells children they can look a day ahead
into the future and shows the date underneath the current day’s date. This looking ahead
now becomes part of the daily routine. Teacher mentions an event that will be taking
place the next day called tomorrow.
16. This is recorded along with the information about today and yesterday.
Days Six Through the End of the First Month of School
17. Helper child now leads the activity with teacher assisting child as needed.
Final Day of the Month.
18. At the close of this activity, which is now, routine, teacher solicits statements about
events that have occurred in the month and writes them on the 8x8” square with the
corresponding color for the month.
19. The 8x8” square is placed on the wall near the ceiling and the individual days of school
numbers are removed from the board and lined up horizontally as in a number line next
to it.
20. Teacher sings the “Months of the Year” song one time and then invites students to sing
along a second time with her. This song now becomes part of the daily routine.
Through the End of the Calendar Year
21. Procedure continues daily so that at the end of the year a number line equal to the total
number of days in school circles has been constructed. It is a history lesson, time line
and story of what has happened in the course of the year.
January Through the End of the School Year
22. The terms morning, afternoon, evening and night can be added to further define events
of yesterday, today and tomorrow.
E. Assessment/Evaluation
1. Students will correctly follow the procedures learned in Lessons 1, 2 and 4. (This
assessment is easily accomplished through direct observation during these lesson
procedures. Note the results on the 3x 5 index cards.)
2. Students will find their correct places in the game People and Places (Appendix C)

VI. CULMINATING ACTIVITIES

A. Children will illustrate number poems. Models are provided in Betsy Franco’s Counting
Caterpillars and Other Math Poems and Sandro Liatsos’ Poems to Count On. However,
the poems need not be confined to these lists.
B. Using books with familiar text as examples, children will illustrate books with time
concepts. Some examples of these books are Eric Carle’s Today is Monday and
Maurice Sendak’s Chicken Soup With Rice.
C. Students complete a weekly calendar drawing a picture of an activity for each day.
(Appendix D)
D. Students will sing or say the names of the days of the week and months of the year.
E. Students will make a yearly calendar with a different picture for each month. (These
make wonderful holiday gifts.)
F. Students will illustrate various concepts of time in diptychs and triptychs: Yesterday,
Today, Tomorrow; Morning, Afternoon, Evening. (Appendix D)

VII. HANDOUTS/WORKSHEETS
Appendices A-D

VIII. BIBLIOGRAPHY
A. Bang, Molly. Ten, Nine, Eight. New York: Scholastic, 1983, ISBN 0-590-42663-X.
B. Bennett, A. B., Jr., & Nelson, L. T. Mathematics an Informal Approach. Boston, MA:
Allen and Bacon, 1985. 0-205-08305-6.

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 C. Carle, Eric. A House for Hermit Crab. New York: Scholastic, 1987, ISBN 0-590-
42567-6.
D. Carle, Eric . 1, 2, 3, To the Zoo. New York: Scholastic, 1968, ISBN 0-590-16212-8.
E. Carle, Eric. Rooster’s Off to See the World.. New York: Scholastic, 1972, ISBN 0-590-
42565-X.
F. Carle, Eric. Today is Monday. New York: Scholastic, 1993, ISBN 0-590-45908-2.
G. Franco, Betsy. Counting Caterpillars and Other Math Poems. Jefferson City, MO:
Scholastic Professional Books, 1998, ISBN 0-590-64210-3.
H. Haber, Jon. 1, 2, 3, Under the Sea.. New York: Disney Press, 1995, ISBN 0-7868-
3035-2.
I. Hutchings, Amy & Richard. The Gummy Candy Counting Book. New York:
Scholastic, 1997, ISBN 0-590-34127-8.
J. Liatsos, Sandra. Poems to Count On. New York: Scholastic, 1995, ISBN 0-590-
60340-X
K. Lorton, M. B. Mathematics Their Way. Menlo Park, CA: Addison-Wesley, 1976.
ISBN 0-201-00494-1.
L. McGrath, Barbara Barbieri. The Cheerios Counting Book. New York: Scholastic,
1998, ISBN 0-590-68357.
M. Miranda, Anne. Monster Math.. New York: Scholastic, 1999, ISBN 0-439-20859-9.
N. O’Leary, John. Ten on a Train. New York: Penguin Books, 1995, ISBN 0-14-037527.
O. Philpot, Lorna & Grahm. Amazing Anthony Ant. New York: Random House, 1994,
ISBN 0-679-85622-6.
P. Pinzes, Elinor. One Hundred Hungry Ants.
Q. Sendak, Maurice. Chicken Soup With Rice. New York: Scholastic, 1962, ISBN
00644-3253-X
R. Slater, Teddy. Ready or Not, Here I Come! New York: Scholastic, 1999, ISBN 0-590-
12009-3
S. Zainea, E. “Making the Most of Eveyrday Mathematics Time.” Teacherlink. Chicago,
IL: Everyday Learning, 1997.

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