I have devised this lesson based to suit my First Class students.
Lesson: The Martian Maths Helpers
Objectives:
Students will create puppet Martians inspired by “The Boy from Mars.”
Students will use their puppet Martians to engage in early number work, sorting, and classifying activities.
Students will practice counting, sorting, and classifying objects with the help of their puppet Martians.
Materials:
“The Boy from Mars” storybook by Simon James –
Craft supplies for making puppet Martians (paper bags, googley eyes, construction paper, markers, glue, scissors)
Assorted objects for sorting and classifying (buttons, beads, colored blocks, etc.)
Sorting trays or containers
Number cards (1-10)
Introduction (10 minutes)
Gather students on the carpet.
Read “The Boy from Mars” by Simon James to the class.
Discuss the story briefly, focusing on the concept of Martians and space.
Ask students: “What do you think a Martian would look like? What kind of things would they help us with?”
Activity 1: Creating Puppet Martians (15 minutes)
Explain that each student will create their own puppet Martian who will help them with maths activities.
Provide each student with a paper bag and craft supplies.
Demonstrate how to make a simple puppet using the materials provided.
Allow students to create and decorate their Martian puppets.
Activity 2: Martian Math Helpers (15 minutes)
Once the puppets are ready, explain that the Martian friends will help with maths tasks.
Set up sorting trays or containers with assorted objects (buttons, beads, blocks).
Demonstrate a sorting activity: “Let’s sort these objects by color. Can your Martian help you sort all the red objects into one tray and all the blue objects into another tray?”
Activity 3: Counting and Classifying (10 minutes)
Provide each student with number cards (1-10).
Ask students to count out the correct number of objects that match each number card with their Martian’s help.
For example, “Can your Martian find 5 red beads and put them next to the number 5 card?”
Encourage students to use their puppets to explain their sorting and counting process to a partner.
Conclusion (5 minutes)
Gather students back on the carpet with their Martian puppets.
Ask students to share one thing their Martian helped them learn today.
Praise students for their creativity and teamwork with their Martian helpers.
Extension Activity:
Create a Martian Maths Centre in the classroom where students can use their puppet Martians to engage in various maths activities throughout the week.
Assessment:
Observe student participation and engagement during the puppet-making activity.
Monitor students’ ability to sort and classify objects correctly with their puppet’s help.
Listen to students’ explanations during the sharing session to assess their understanding of counting, sorting, and classifying.