Math

Mathematics in the broadest sense involves understanding and comparing quantity, characteristics, spatial relationships, and logical sequences.  At Sunshine Academy, children learn math in an experiential manner by experimenting with peg boards, unit blocks, unifix cubes, cuisinaire rods and other materials; collecting, sorting, categorizing and comparing objects; learning to use standard measuring tools, such as clocks, calendars, and tape measures as well as exploring non-standard ways of comparing sizes and distances; and exploring the properties of materials in the sand/water/sensory table.  Teachers reinforce mathematical concepts during circle time; group discussions; reading, music and art activities; counting and sequencing games and outdoor play.

Infants & Toddlers

LEARNING EXPECTATIONS

EXAMPLE ACTIVITIES

Recognize patterns and relationships

  • See and touch objects of different size, shape, color, and texture (blocks, cups, leaves, rocks)
  • Match shapes or sizes such as with the shape sorter, stacking rings, shape puzzles, blocks
  • Explore puzzles of different sizes, shapes
  • Sing songs about colors or with repeating patterns or rhythms (e.g., The Rainbow Song)

Learn the names of numbers 1 to 10 while developing a sense of their meaning

  • Read books such as “Five Little Monkeys…” or “Ten Little Ladybugs”
  • Sing songs such as “Over in the Meadow” “This Old Man” or “Six Little Ducks”
  • Count how many crackers and cups for snack
  • Explore number games and puzzles

Understand volume, weight, and distance using standard and non-standard ways of measuring

  • Pour sand, water, and other materials into cups of various sizes and dump it out
  • Build and experiment with blocks
  • Measure ingredients for play dough, goop, flubber, bio-putty or cooking projects
  • Measure objects or distances with string, tape, rulers, measuring tape, footsteps, blocks, etc.

Understand addition and subtraction

  • Sing songs such as “Six Little Ducks” or read books such as “Ten Little Ladybugs” which add or subtract one-by-one

Understand fractions, divisions, parts and sections

  • Make and serve pretend-play pizza
  • Measure a half-cup of juice for drinking
  • Work on puzzles of different sizes, shapes

Understand and name opposites

  • Sing songs and explore books about opposites
  • Play opposites guessing games

Develop a sense of time and sequence while learning to use ordinal numbers (first, second, third) in everyday contexts

  • Discuss daily schedule (first, do this, then that)
  • Sing about days of the week, months, seasons
  • Play leader/follower games
  • Repeat clapping patterns and melodies

 

 

Preschool & PreK

LEARNING EXPECTATIONS

EXAMPLE ACTIVITIES

Recognize patterns and relationships

  • Explore the size, shape, color, and texture of materials (blocks, cups, leaves, rocks)
  • Collect, sort, categorize, and compare objects
  • Make group charts comparing objects
  • Build and experiment with pattern blocks
  • Work on table-top and floor puzzles

Learn the names of numbers 1 to 10 while developing a sense of their meaning

  • Experiment with unifix cubes, cuisinaire rods, place value sets and other math manipulatives
  • Read books such as “Five Little Monkeys…”
  • Count how many plates and cups for snack
  • Explore number games and puzzles

Understand volume, weight, and distance using standard and non-standard ways of measuring

  • Pour sand, water, and other materials into cups of various sizes and dump it out
  • Build and experiment with blocks
  • Measure ingredients for play dough, goop, flubber, bio-putty or cooking projects
  • Measure objects or distances with string, tape, rulers, measuring tape, footsteps, blocks, etc.

Understand addition and subtraction

  • Experiment with math manipulatives
  • Read books such as “Adding it Up”

Understand fractions, divisions, parts and sections

  • Work with fraction puzzles
  • Make and serve pretend-play pizza
  • Measure a half-cup or quarter-cup for making play dough and cooking
  • Work on table-top and floor puzzles

Understand and name opposites

  • Sing songs and explore books about opposites
  • Play opposites guessing games

Develop a sense of time and sequence while learning to use ordinal numbers (first, second, third) in everyday contexts

  • Discuss the daily schedule and schedule
  • Sing about days of the week, months, seasons
  • Use teaching clocks, sequence cards
  • Play leader/follower games
  • Repeat clapping patterns and melodies