Thursday, June 30, 2016

How to set up a patriotic math craft for elementary kids

My dad would always take is out to the flag pole on all the national holidays like Memorial Day or Independence Day. He let us help raise the star spangled banner then we recited the pledge of allegiance. As we prepared for July 4 this year, we spent some time talking about the flag and what it means. I came up with this patriotic craft for my daughter who just completed kindergarten, and we talked about what the stars I the field of blue represent. It just so happens that it was perfect math practice as well.

Your child who has completed kindergarten will be able to do this start spangled math craft independently. Perfect for Independence Day, Memorial Day, or Flag Day.




This math craft fulfills K.CC.A.1 Counting to 100 by 1's and 10's and K.G.B.5 Model hapes in the world by building shapes from components and drawing shapes. 

Material and tools for this patriotic math craft


blue paper
At least 75 star stickers, cut apart
scissors
pencil
ruler

If you need a July 4 craft that your child can do independently, you can make notes giving your child directions for each part.  The first note would read, "Make a square." Beside the note leave the blue paper, scissors, pencil and ruler. Let her figure out how to make the square on her own.


Your child who has completed kindergarten will be able to do this start spangled math craft independently. Perfect for Independence Day, Memorial Day, or Flag Day.

My daughter was proud to show off that she knew what defined a square and enjoyed figuring out how to use the tools to make one.

Your child who has completed kindergarten will be able to do this start spangled math craft independently. Perfect for Independence Day, Memorial Day, or Flag Day.

The second note should read "Count out fifty stickers, and prove that there are fifty."

Your child who has completed kindergarten will be able to do this start spangled math craft independently. Perfect for Independence Day, Memorial Day, or Flag Day.

Be sure to let your child figure this out on their own! I was a little surprised at the complexity of my former kindergartner' solution.

Your child who has completed kindergarten will be able to do this start spangled math craft independently. Perfect for Independence Day, Memorial Day, or Flag Day.

She chose to make two squares, each consisting of five rows and columns.  Any answer that demonstrates that there are fifty stickers is correct.

Your child who has completed kindergarten will be able to do this start spangled math craft independently. Perfect for Independence Day, Memorial Day, or Flag Day.

The final note should read, "Place your fifty stickers on the square." This part of the project allows the child to be artist and think about the different options for her stickers and square. It also sneaks in a little painless fine motor practice.

Your child who has completed kindergarten will be able to do this start spangled math craft independently. Perfect for Independence Day, Memorial Day, or Flag Day.


Showing off her star spangled creation


 I love seeing how her personality comes through in her pattern choices.

Your child who has completed kindergarten will be able to do this start spangled math craft independently. Perfect for Independence Day, Memorial Day, or Flag Day.


I hope you and your children build some wonderful memory this Independence Day!






Other math activities to try this summer:











No comments:

Post a Comment

I can't wait to hear what you have to say! Thanks for sharing.