Home Learning with Treasures From Jennifer - Part 2: Numeracy Activities
Kate Kwijas (@exploringlifetogether_) for Oskar's Wooden Ark | June 15, 2023
In Part One of this blog series, we introduced the variety of frames and coins available within the Treasures From Jennifer range and how they can benefit your little learners by adding them to your home learning resources. If you haven't yet read it, we encourage you to check it out first. In this second instalment, we will be discussing how you can use these resources to enhance your child’s understanding in numeracy with a bunch of engaging activities for you try with your children at home.
Activities for LITTLE Learners
In Part One we briefly introduced you to the Ten Frame and a few of the ways that it can used as a home learning resource; but what exactly makes the Ten Frame such a valuable and important resource for younger learners?
The Ten Frame is rectangular in shape with ten equal spaces, five on the top and five on the bottom and used in early learning classrooms to help children develop number sense - an essential foundation concept. The frames teach children to subitize (being able to tell how many items are in a group without counting) and allow them to develop the concepts of addition and subtraction. Ten Frames provide not only experience working with numbers but ensure children develop a visual sense of those numbers. The Treasures From Jennifer Twenty Frame and Hundred Frame are a natural extension of the Ten Frame.
Fine Motor Skill Development
Using the Ten, Twenty or Hundred Frame and woollen balls, invite your child to develop their fine motor skills by placing woollen balls into the dimples of your wooden frame. Encourage them to talk about the colours of the balls as they handle them for further language development.
One-to-One Correspondence
Using a Ten, Twenty or Hundred Frame, a dice and the coloured woollen balls, choose a colour woollen ball for each player. Roll the dice and place that many woollen balls upon the board. Decide upon the number players need to obtain to win the game. Once a player reaches the desired number, they have won!
Counting with Loose Parts
Using a Twenty Frame, a Hundred Frame, Number Coins and loose parts, have your learner place the correct amount of loose parts next to the corresponding number. Your child may like to use other materials such as rocks, gemstones or elements of nature for some extra fun!
Number Recognition
Encourage your child to become more familiar with the value of numbers by asking them to place the numbers in order from least to greatest and then from greatest to least.
An Introduction to Addition & Subtraction
Place the number one on the Hundred Frame and roll a dice. Add that number to the number one, before placing that number onto the Hundred Frame. Take turns and continue until you reach 100. For subtraction, follow the same concept, however, begin at 100 and work your way back to number one.
Activities for OLDER Learners
As discussed in Part One, there are a variety of coins available to support numeracy learning - particularly for older children. Below are some ideas on how you might use these resources to support your more advanced learners:
Counting Beyond 100
To develop an understanding of counting and numbers above 100, have your learner sequentially fill in the Hundred Frame with Number Coins 101 to 200. Ask your learner to begin at a specified number and ‘count on’.
Place loose parts on some numbers and ask your child to count. See if they can fill in the missing numbers without looking.
Odd & Even
Focus upon odd and even numbers by placing only odd or even Number Coins in your frame.
Encourage your child to sort through all of the numbers, categorising them under odd and even.
You can do this in a random sequence, or ask them to place the odd and even numbers in ascending or descending value for an extra challenge.
Time
Use the Maths Symbols and Number Coins to record the time, thus providing experience with both analogue and digital time to learners.
Consider introducing the concept of 24 hour time as an extra challenge.
The Treasures From Jennifer Wooden Clock is an excellent resource to consider for this activity.
Multiplication
Use the Hundred Frame and the Multiplication Coins laid out in the correct sequence to practice multiplication facts. What is 5 times 6? Place one finger on each number and slide them towards the middle of the board until they meet; that is your answer!
Remove some numbers from the board and ask your child what is missing. Have them replace the missing numbers as a further challenge.
Division
To introduce the concept of division to your child, reverse the process used in the Multiplication activity, but begin with the larger number. What is 72 divided by 8? Which row is it in? That is your answer!
Fractions
Using the Fraction Coins, create a number line with fractions according to their size. Encourage your child to use the woollen balls to demonstrate the fractions as a visual aid.
The learning opportunities with the Treasures From Jennifer frames and coins are endless. But where should you begin your collection? This very much depends upon where your child’s interests and understanding lay at this particular moment. However, the Number Coins are a fabulous beginning to any collection. You can check out the full range below!
If you and your little learners try any of these activities at home with your Treasure From Jennifer products, be sure to share it with us on Facebook or Instagram, making sure to tag us @oskarswoodenark.
In Part Three of this blog series, we will cover some exciting literacy activities using the Treasures From Jennifer products. Stay tuned!
