Before beginning this lesson, it is important to know the extent of the students' sense of numbers up to eight and to find ways to challenge those students who understand eight and beyond. To determine understanding, give each student a set of 10 connecting cubes. Ask the students to create a set of eight on their workspace and to draw an 8 with "magic chalk” (writing in the air with their finger). A review of the previously covered numbers would also provide formative information. The teacher resource sheet Count to 10 Class Assessment can help you document the level of performance of each student. You may wish to note strengths as well as needs.
Provide the students with the Showing Sets of 8 activity sheet, a group of connecting cubes, and crayons in two colors.
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Encourage students to color each row with the two crayons and to color each row in a different way. Ask them to record the size of each group using the appropriate color crayon. When they have finished, ask them to share one or more ways that they colored the rows. [Their coloring patterns will show the ways that they decomposed eight into two groups. This is a valuable preparation for learning the combinations of eight, such as 4 + 4 and 3 + 5.] Ask them to take their sheets home and share their work with their family.
Show the students the numeral 8. Describe how it is made and ask them to make large 8s in the air. Then spray some canned shaving cream on a plastic surface and invite them to practice making the numeral in the cream. (This activity can also serve to clean the desk or tabletop.)
Now, using a computer that all the students can see, go to the Electronic Abacus Applet. Call on a volunteer to use the abacus to show a number from 1 through 8 by moving the abacus beads. (Because this virtual manipulative is designed for other purposes as well, use only the top bar of the abacus.) Then ask the volunteer's classmates what number is shown. Call on another volunteer to write the numeral on the board. Repeat with several other volunteers, clearing the abacus each time.
Next give each student a copy of the 10-Frame activity sheet. Ask the students to put eight connecting cubes into the frame, one in each section.
Remind them to start at the smiley face and go in the direction of the arrow. To help them see the relationship of eight to five, ask "How many cubes are in the top row? How many are in the second row?"
Students may also use the Ten Frame tool to explore numbers up to 10.
After they have finished, give the students their Steps to 10 activity sheet.
Ask them to look for the column with "8" at the top and to color in
eight rows, starting at the bottom row. Circulate as they work. Encourage the students to compare the "8" column with the columns they have colored in previously. Then collect the charts.
