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Topic:
In this activity students will:

Whatimals
Counting blocks and writing numbers.

3 Make a whatimal (an animal created out of blocks). 3 Record their whatimal on paper. 3 Count the blocks used in their whatimal. 3 Record the number.

Set up:
Student arrangement: Whole class discussions and individual or partner work Books depicting different types of animals Digi stamps or Digi colored markers Activity sheets Number lines White mats (optional)

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Packed with Math: K1

Digi-Block

Whatimals
Introduction:
Teacher will:

Share several books depicting different types of animals. H Ask the students to look through the books for pictures of animals that they would like to represent with single blocks. H Describe the goal by asking students to create an animal using single blocks. (Note - This activity will be most successful if students make their animals on a flat surface.) H Demonstrate how to count the single blocks that they used. This counting may be accomplished by placing the blocks on a number line or free counting. (Note - Placing the blocks on a number line will help children who do not know how to write the number or who need to check their work. They can simply read and copy the number where the blocks end on the number line.)
H

Activity:
Students will:

Create their whatimal. Use the Digi stamps or markers to transfer their whatimal to the activity sheet. H Count the single blocks that were used to create their whatimal. H Use the number line to find the number symbol for that quantity of blocks. H Record the number.
H H

Whole Class Discussion:

The whole class will:

Share their whatimals by describing their creations to the class. H Discuss the process they followed to count the blocks.
H

Assessment:
Do students have difficulty transferring their whatimals from blocks to drawings or stamped recordings? H Do students count the number of blocks used accurately? H Do students describe their animals with accuracy and detail? H Do students use the number line as a tool to find the number or to check their work?
H

Extension Ideas:
Have students use their completed whatimals as the basis for an adventure story that may be dictated to a classroom scribe. H Have students create new whatimals using single blocks and blocks-of-10 and have them record their work on the second activity sheet. This extension activity is appropriate later in the year after students have learned to pack and organize blocks-of10.
H

Digi-Block

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2 Whatimals
Name ________________________________________________

This is a picture of the animal that I built with my blocks.

I used ________ single blocks.

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This page may be copied for classroom use. Digi-Block

More Whatimals
Name ________________________________________________

This is a picture of the animal that I built with single blocks and blocks-of-10:

I used _______ blocks-of-10 and _______ single blocks.

Digi-Block This page may be copied for classroom use.

Packed with Math: K1

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