Bear-y Fun Numbers!

Explicit Instruction/Teacher modeling

• Using the SMART Board file or print-outs of the teacher modeling cards, show the students how to start with the number fifteen and count up to 20.
• On each slide, model the process of forming the number. Go back to the number 15 each time you model counting to a new number so that students will have the repetition of hearing the numbers multiple times.
• Repeat, counting from 15 up to the numbers 17, 18, 19, and 20 and modeling the number formations.

Guided Practice

• Have the students sit in groups of three or four on the floor.
• Distribute plastic bags of teddy bear counters and numbers to the groups.
• Tell them that they will be counting the bears together and then placing the corresponding number under the teddy bear.
• Tell the students that they will be taking turns putting the bears in order and finding the right number.
• Ask the students what number comes first. Have the first student match up the bear and number 1.
• Continue with number 2 and so forth, having the students continue to take turns and practicing counting to twenty.
• After completing the guided practice, collect the plastic counting bears.

Independent working time

• Using the black-and-white demonstration bears, show students how they will need to write a number inside each bear, color the bear, and put the bears in order.
• Provide construction paper for students to work on, and distribute the teddy bear paper counters.
• Have students number the bears from 1 to 20. Next, have them cut out the bears, color them, and put the bears in order on their construction paper mat.