Number Search

Number Search


The object is to look for numbers around you: on cars,
buses, subways, and on foot.



What you'll need


Some type of transportation or
A place from which to observe
Paper
Pencil
Ruler


What to do


1. Create a chart that lists the numbers from 1-50.

2. Write down each number as family members locate that
number on a car, a sign, a building.

3. Write down words that have numbers in them such as
"one-stop shopping," "two-day service," or "Highway 20."



This is a great challenge for family members of all age,
because even young children can learn to recognize numbers.



License Plates


License plates have numbers and are fun to use to play
games while on the go.







What you'll need


License plates
Paper
Pencil



What to do


1. Copy down a license plate. Read it as a number (excluding
the letters). For example, if the license is 663M218, the
number would be six hundred sixty-three thousand, two
hundred eighteen.

2. Find other license plates and read their numbers. Is the
number less than, greater than, or equal to yours?

3. Estimate the difference between your number and another
license plate. Is it 10, 100, 1,000, or 10,000?

4. Record the names of the states of as many different
license plates as you see. From which state do you see the
most? Which has the fewest? Prepare a chart or graph to
show your findings.









These activities encourage reading, recognizing numbers,
noticing symbols, writing, counting, and graphing.



Total It


This is a good game for practicing quick mental
computation.







What you'll need


License plates





What to do


1. Call out the numbers on the license plate.

2. See who can add the numbers up correctly. What strategies
were used? (Were the numbers added by 10's like 2+8; were
doubles like 6+6 used?)

3. Try different problems using the numbers in a license
plate.

For example, if you use the plate number 663M218, ask,
"Using the numbers on the plate, can you:

make a 1 using two numbers? Yes, 3-2=1.
make a 1 using three numbers? Yes, 6-(3+2)=1
make a 1 using four numbers? Yes, (6+6)-8-3-1
make a 1 using five numbers? Yes, 3-[(6+6)-8-2]=1
make a 1 using six numbers? Yes, 8x2-(6+6)-3=1
make a 2 using 1 number? Yes, the 2.



The problem solving and computation going on in your
child's head is very important. It helps your child be creative
with numbers.



How Long? How Far?


Many times when you are on the go, you are headed
somewhere that requires you be there by a certain time.



What you'll need


Information about how far you're traveling and how long
it will take



What to do


1. Ask your children how far they think you are traveling.
Yards? Blocks? Miles?

2. Talk about how long it takes to get there. If it is 3:15
now, and it takes 45 minutes to get there, will we make it
for a 4:15 appointment? How much extra time will we have?
Will we be late?

These types of questions help children see the usefulness
of understanding distance and time.





Guess If You Can


When children practice asking questions about numbers,
they can develop an understanding of the characteristics and
meanings of numbers.



What you'll need


Questions about numbers



What to do


1. Let your child think of a number between a stated range of
numbers while you try to guess the number by asking
questions. Here is a sample conversation.

Child: I am thinking of a number between 1 and 100.

Parent: Is it more than 50?

Child: No.

Parent: Is it an even number?

Child: No.

Parent: Is it more than 20 but less than 40?

Child: Yes.

Parent: Can you divide this number up into 3 equal parts?

And so on ...

2. After you have guessed your child's number, let your child
guess a number from you by asking similar questions.

The questions asked demonstrate many different levels of
math. They can serve as learning tools for explaining concepts.
For example, you can take the opportunity to explain what an
even number is if your child does not know.