This lesson on mathematics introduces students to the fundamentals of addition and subtraction, as well as number recognition in order to demonstrate that we encounter numbers in many of our daily activities.

Teachers note: Because of the broad range of ages in some classes and the concrete nature of mathematics knowledge development, these lessons are not intended to be traditional mathematics lessons. In keeping with the FasTracKids education philosophy, these lessons introduce mathematics concepts as one component of the overall knowledge enrichment. With games and activities using primary numbers, students are able to concentrate on their presentations, deduction and application of the knowledge, rather than merely focusing on the numbers themselves.

The Learning Station drawing tool is used in this lesson. If you have the Hitachi board, turn on the pen tool.

"A World of Numbers"
Touch-screen activity - Students must move the animals into the correct field by matching the number of animals to the number shown on the Learning Station. This short game exercises the students' number recognition, motor skills and matching skills. They also must use their concentration and listening skills to understand the directions given by the narration.
Teachers note: Periodically throughout the lesson, a cartoon pig named Challenge Pig will ask a question that requires more thought, and often, abstract reasoning. After this first game, students are asked to remember how many animals were in each field as a memorization challenge.

"How Many Animals Are There?"
As the animals reappear on the Learning Station, students are asked to add them together. Because some students have not yet been introduced to secondary numbers, this exercise may require guidance by the teacher or an older student. Remember that the correct answer is not the only desired outcome, but the process is being explored.

"How Do We Use Numbers?"
A variety of images are presented on the Learning Station, each using numbers in some way. This segment encourages students to think about and discuss the many ways numbers are evident in their home and school.

"Bingo"
Hands-on activity - The Learning Station will give students instructions for a simple game of bingo. In this game, students are to match the items shown that represent the number called out by the teacher. As each number is called, students cover the correct number with a piece of paper, button, coin, or small snack or other item. (this way the cards can be used multiple times)
Note: the teacher should give a variety of cards to the students to ensure that not all students 'win' at the same time. The teacher will also need to call out random numbers for the students after the instructions are given by the dialog. The first student to cover four squares in a row wins and calls out "BINGO". This can be played as many times as desired to allow many students to 'win'.

"Circle the Numbers"
As an added challenge, students are instructed (by Challenge Pig) to put large circles around the numbers on their BINGO card that are larger or greater than 5, and small circles around the numbers that are smaller or less than 5.

"Clean Ollie's Room"
Touch-screen activity- Students must put the correct amount of items into the correct drawers in Ollie's room by matching items to numbers. After putting the items into the correct drawer, the number shown on the drawer will disappear. The student must then draw the number back onto the drawer by using his/her finger or the pen (depending on which board you have).

"Ollie's Birthday"
Touch-screen activity- this simple activity requires students to listen to the verbal instructions to put the correct amount of candles on Ollie's cake. Then, Ollie will 'blow' out his candles, leaving 2 behind. Students must subtract to reach the correct number. The dialog then encourages students to discuss their age and how old they will be on their next birthday.
Optional activity - this theme could be continued with a simple classification activity. The teacher instructs students to move to an area of the classroom determined by age. All of the 3-year-olds in this corner, all of the 4-year-olds sit down, all of the 5-year-olds stand up, etc. Then, classification can be demonstrated to the students another way, such as all of the students with brown eyes stand up, all of the students with green eyes sit down, etc. Encourage the students to determine a classification of their own (i.e. boy/girl or brown hair/blond hair).

"Your Favorite Number"
Hands-on activity - Because the instructions are clearly given on the Learning Station, encourage your students to listen carefully. The children determine their favorite number (1-10) and, using old magazines or other pictures, cut out that number of pictures to glue to a piece of paper. Students also write the number on their picture.

"Your Address and Telephone Number"
The cartoon characters discuss the importance of knowing their address and phone number so they may order a pizza to be delivered. Students are encouraged to talk about the importance of these numbers. Again, encourage students to use their listening skills to answer the questions presented on the Learning Station.

"Pizza Delivery Game"
Touch-screen activity- The houses on the Learning Station have numbered addresses showing. As directed by the dialog, students must deliver the correct amount of pizzas to the correct address. This matching game also asks students to consider how difficult it would be to deliver the pizzas if there were not addresses shown.

"Help Mollie and Ollie Pack"
Touch-screen activity- Mollie and Ollie are packing for a trip. Students must listen carefully as they are given instructions to 'help' with the packing of items on the Learning Station. The concept of 'pairs' is introduced in this segment as the pairs of shoes must be packed. Students are instructed to also locate pairs of things in their classroom.

"Find Mollie and Ollie's Gate"
Touch-screen activity- Mollie and Ollie arrive at the airport. Students are presented more ways the numbers are important and helpful as they help Mollie and Ollie locate the correct departure gate.
Hands-on activity- As a corresponding activity, provide students with the preprinted picture of the different airport passengers. Students are instructed to draw a line from each passenger to the correct gate based on the number shown on their tickets. (image provided on disk)

"In-Flight Counting Game"
Touch-screen activity- A counting game is presented as an in-flight movie. Again, students must listen carefully to the instructions given to determine the correct answer. Simple addition and subtraction problems are introduced using cute images of animals.

"Get the Suitcases"
As Ollie and Mollie look for their suitcases on the airport conveyor belt, the other 'passengers' retrieve theirs. While they do, students are encouraged to subtract the number of suitcases and determine how many remain. If this is difficult for younger students, the teacher may want the students to call out the answers together to encourage participation among the younger students.

"Find the Bus"
Touch-screen activity- Again, students are shown another way numbers are important as Mollie and Ollie attempt to locate the correct bus to their destination. Choose the correct bus on the Learning Station.

"Numbers Report"
Video-taping activity - As numbered images of Mollie and Ollie's trip appear on the Learning Station, students are now instructed to match the image shown with their favorite number as chosen in the earlier 'cut and paste' activity. Each student then gives a report about how numbers were important during that part of the travel story. Videotape the presentations. Encourage the students to show their picture and how the numbers match.

Before Students Go Home - Review
Ask students why it is important to know their address and/or telephone number
Talk about how difficult some things, such as pizza delivery or locating the correct bus, would be to accomplish without numbers.

Supply List for Activities
"Today I Learned" - parents handout
Preprinted BINGO cards (provided on disk)
Pieces of paper, coins, buttons, small snacks or other items to cover
numbers in bingo game
Markers
Paper, glue or paste, old magazines to cut and paste
Preprinted handout (on disk) of airport passengers to color
Videotape