How Many Eggs Are In The Nests

To use manipulatives to show quantities of 1, 2, and 3 To count to 3; to see, touch, and say quantities to 3

Materials 3 paper circle bird nests and 6 paper eggs for each child Procedure

Tell children that they are going to play “Eggs in the Nests.” Display 3 paper circle birds’ nests and 6 paper eggs. Model a see, touch, and say approach to understanding quantity. Take 1 egg in your hand, put it in the first nest, and count 1. Remove the egg and invite a child to select 1 egg, place it in the nest, and count 1. Ask another child to select 2 eggs, place them in the next nest and count 1, 2. Ask a third child to select 3 eggs and place them in the remaining nest and count 1, 2, 3. At tables, help children fill empty bird nests with 1, 2, and 3 eggs, empty the nests, and then refill them. Encourage children to count the eggs aloud as they place them in the nests.

Observation Assessment

Proficient - Child can easily select and put 1, 2, or 3 eggs in the nests as requested. In Process - Child can sometimes put the right number of eggs in nests but is not consistently correct. Not Yet Ready - Child does not yet understand quantities of 1, 2, and 3 and does not put 1, 2, or 3 eggs in nests.