Preschool Math - Measuring & Critical Thinking with a Curious George Theme

[Lollyellen]

This is such a good little activity because it incorporates so much - literacy, measurement/critical thinking, along with EATING CANDY - what could top that?!

First, go buy a couple of rolls of butcher or craft paper. I found some very easily for .99 a roll at our local dollar store in the arts and crafts/party-supplies section. And trust me, if OUR little ole rural dollar store carries it, I'm absolutely CERTAIN yours will! LOL. I got 2 rolls of brown craft paper - one for each kiddo.

Then, in one of Charlie's books - Curious George & the RollerCoaster - which, you could probably also catch the same episode sometime on PBS - the storyline centers on George nibbling down the licorice stick they used to measure him for the minimum size required to ride a roller coaster. How the more he nibbled, the more lengths of the candy was required to measure him fully. I thought in order for Charlie to grasp that, he'd need to see that in action - hence the idea for the activity, LOL.

So anyway - unroll your craft paper and tape it down to the floor. Tell the kid/s you are going to trace around their body/ies and then after they have a chance to decorate and enjoy their "bodies" you will be measuring the representation of their body/ies with the licorice!

I'd suggest you use a crayon to do the body tracing, so you don't get marker on their hair or clothes - or your tile - and then let them decorate their "bodies" with markers, stickers, crayons, whatever they want. Charlie & Sydney really liked this part and it was fun to watch them bust out with some fun creative ideas (Charlie gave himself some stunning red fingernails and he and Sydney both decided they wanted to be wearing striped socks!).

Then, after their bodies are complete, show them how to use the licorice as a measuring tool - together - out loud - count how many "candy sticks" it takes to measure their length. Show them how the more you nibble away at the licorice stick, the more times you will use it to measure out the same thing.

Then, write it out ("Charlie is 6 candy sticks tall!") so they can see the words and the numbers representing something concrete.

Then - chow down on some licorice!

Here's a pic with the steps (loosely) numbered for your convenience!
http://www.maternitycorner.com/lolly...ngactivity.jpg