Count Stars and Planets

💡 About this activity

🎯 Learning objectives

• Count groups of 11 to 20 pictures, pointing to each one once.
• Write the number of pictures in each group.
• Compare the quantities in two groups.

🧺 What you need

• Printed worksheet
• Pencil
• Eraser

👣 How to do it

1. Print the worksheet and gather a pencil and eraser.
2. Show the stars and planets and explain that each group will be counted separately.
3. Model counting the first group, pointing to one picture at a time.
4. Invite the child to count the remaining groups and write each answer in its space.
5. Check the answers together, counting again when needed.
6. Compare two groups and celebrate the child's effort.

🍎 Teaching suggestions

• Say, “Let's touch each picture as we count.”
• If the child loses track, suggest lightly marking each picture as it is counted.
• Pause after ten and continue counting together.
• Keep a written number sequence from 1 to 20 nearby for reference.
• Count everyday objects, such as books or blocks, using the same strategy.

🔀 Variations

💬 Talk about it

• How did you remember which pictures you had already counted?
• What helped you keep counting after ten?
• Which group has more pictures? How did you find out?
• What do you notice when you compare the numbers you wrote?

👀 What to look for

• Notice whether the child points to each picture once while counting.
• Check whether the child writes a number that matches the group, with or without support.
• Notice how the child compares two groups and explains their choice.