A Fish or A Number?

Since we have a Goldfish as our new class pet I have set up a few fishy works:) This one was an idea from Karen Tylers'  Math Album. I put a bit of a twist on it, but the goal is the same. The child is to sort numbers and fish. It is a lesson to help children to identify what a numeral looks like. It is one of the most valuable concrete lessons that I have ever given. If you ever asked a child what is the name of this shape and they responded by saying the number 2, then be sure to add this activity while lesson planning.

Adding the funnel and the gravel just made it a fun work and they don't have any idea that you are observing them and teaching them an important math concept.