The Eclectic Manual of Methods by Van Antwerp, Bragg and Co. The Eclectic Manual by Van Antwerp, Bragg and Co.    

Lesson 3: Recognize, Combine, and Separate Groups of Physical Objects Up to 4

Directions

Follow the step-by-step instructions below to teach the lesson.

Progress to the next lesson when children master the current lesson.

Value mastery over speed of progression.

Steps

STEP 1

• Show children between 0 to 4 objects, and have them call out the corresponding number without counting.
• Use a variety of objects that interest children such as coins, books, dinosaurs, action figures, cars, and stuffed animals.
• For example, hold up 4 books and ask children, 'How many books am I holding?'
• Practice this skill until children rapidly and easily call out the correct numbers, without counting.

STEP 2

• Have children show you a specified number of objects without counting.
• Give each child 4 objects.
• Ask children to show you 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 of the objects.
• For example, give 'Peyton' 4 pennies. Say 'Peyton, show me 4 pennies', and direct Peyton to push 4 pennies into the center of the table.
• Practice this skill with a variety of objects until children rapidly and easily show the objects as directed, without counting.

STEP 3

• Combine and separate object groups.
• Form four groups of 1. Have children call out the number of objects in each group.
• Combine the groups into a large group of 4. Have children call out the number of objects in the large group.
• Repeat the process for the following groups: (4 and 0), (3 and 1), and (2 and 2).
• Practice this skill with a variety of objects until children rapidly and easily call out the correct numbers, without counting.

STEP 4

• Have children combine and separate object groups themselves.
• Direct children to separate a group of 4 objects into four groups of 1.
• Direct children to recombine the smaller groups into one big group of 4.
• Repeat the process for the following groups: (4 and 0), (3 and 1), and (2 and 2).
• Practice this skill with a variety of objects until children rapidly and easily separate and combine the objects as directed, without counting.