Hop a path through the squares, stepping only on a specific number(s).
Draw a single or double row of squares on the ground using your chosen set of numbers and some distractor numbers.
You can draw the large dots, or have the children do it.
Materials
- Sidewalk chalk
Preparation
- Choose a number set to focus on (either 2s and 3s, 3s and 4s, or 4s and 5s).
- Draw a single or double row of squares on the playground surface with the chalk. Start with five or six rows of squares (or more or less, as desired). Fill in most squares with dots representing your chosen set of numbers — for example, 2 dots and 3 dots. Or, demonstrate how to draw one set of 2 dots and one set of 3 dots, then have the children draw the rest of the dot sets (make sure they draw the right number of dots in the right squares). Make sure the squares with the selected number sets are placed close enough that the children can jump from one square to another.
- Add other dots, such as 4 dots and 5 dots, to a few “distractor” squares.
- Add a Start box on one end.
Directions
- Demonstrate how to play the game. For instance, if sets of 2s and 3s are the target numbers, begin at the Start box and jump on all of the squares containing 2 and 3 dots, making sure to avoid squares with 4 or 5 dots. Talk about what you are doing as you jump so children can better understand the game. For example, say, Oops, I can't step on that square, it has 4 dots. I need to jump on all the 2s and 3s quickly without counting. I stepped on the square with 5 dots by mistake. Once you reach the end of the board, turn around and jump on only the squares containing 2 and 3 dots until you reach the Start box again, continuing to talk out loud.
- Have the children take turns, one by one, jumping only on the designated numbers. Remind them not to stop to count the dots, but to jump as quickly as they can on the squares with the target number of dots. Ask the other children to help the player where needed, pointing out where he or she should step, or where he or she missed steps.
- Try out these variations:
- Call out and have the children jump on only one numbered square.
- Call out random numbers (even distractor numbers, if desired) for children to jump on.
- Tell the children to jump twice on each number assigned or called out.
- Hold up fingers for the children to identify numbers to jump on.
Note: To emphasize the timing element, you might want to use a stopwatch and time how long each child takes to complete the full path. Can they beat their own time on the second go-round?