Title: 3,2,1 Blast Off!
Grade Level: Kindergarten
SOL's Addressed: Social Studies K.5, Reading/Language-Arts K.2
Approximate Time Needed: 30-40 minutes
Objectives:
~The student will be able to explain the use of backwards counting in a shuttle take-off.
~The student will be able to count backwards from 10 to zero.
Materials:
~video of shuttle take-off (optional)
~10's frames (or similar counting tool), one for each student
~counting markers, at least 10 per student
~book about astronauts, such as Astronauts by Tami Deedrick
Introduction:
~Grab students' attention by asking if they can think of a job that uses backwards counting. Accept any plausible answers and record guesses on the board.
~If no one has any guesses, or no one has come up with the one you have in mind (an astronaut, or something related) tell them that you will demonstrate. Begin counting slowly backwards from 10. After each number, pause to see if anyone has a guess. Very likely, someone will guess, but to be sure that the class sees your point, after counting backwards down to one, be sure to end with "Blast Off!"
~Once the secret has been guessed or revealed, tell the class that you will all be preparing for jobs as astronauts by learning how to count backwards from 10.
Body:
~If available, show the class a short video clip of a shuttle taking off. If you cannot find a clip that included the all-important count down, you can supply this sound effect yourself.
~Ask the students to take out their counting boards and markers. Begin by having each student place five markers on his or her 10's frame. Ask the class how many counters are on the board. If someone answers incorrectly, ask the class as a whole to count the number of markers on their frames.
~Once you are sure that everyone recognizes that there are five markers on the 10's frame, ask the students to remove one marker. Ask the class how many markers are on the board. Repeat this process until you have gotten down to zero, at which point, encourage the students to say, “Blast Off!”
~Next, have the class count down, beginning with a larger number of markers. Depending on how familiar your class is with this concept, you may wish to move next to 6, then 7, etc, or you may wish you jump right to ten.
~Once the class is successfully able to count down from 10 to zero using the markers, try it once orally without the markers. The degree of accuracy you expect should depend on whether this is a new activity for your class, or a review.
Closure:
~Congratulate the class on successfully "launching" a space shuttle, and read a book to them about being an astronaut (such as Astronauts by Tami Deedrick).
Evaluation:
~Simply observe the students as they count backwards, noting how comfortable they are with this skill, and making sure that they are practicing accurately.
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