Counting with Jars

Grade: Second · Subject: Math · Time: 20 min · Difficulty: Standard

Learning Objective

Students will practice counting by filling a jar with numbers or pictures.

Teacher-Selected Inputs

Grade: Second
Subject: Math
Educational Setting: General Education
Difficulty: Standard
Duration: 20 min
Skill: Counting, Fine motor control, Visual-spatial planning

Why this printable fits

This jar template is perfect for second graders to practice counting and improve fine motor skills as they fill the jar with numbers or pictures, aligning with the skill and subject focus.

Key Vocabulary

count
number
picture

Prerequisite Skills

Basic counting skills

Materials

Jar printable
Crayons or colored pencils

Prep

Print the Mason jar template for each student.

Lesson Steps

Introduction5 min
Teacher actions: Introduce the jar template to the class. Explain that they will fill it with items they can count. Show an example of a jar filled with numbers or pictures of items related to a theme, like fruits or animals.
Teacher script: Today, we're going to fill our jars with things we can count! Let's see some examples!
Example / model: A jar filled with pictures of 5 apples and 3 bananas.
Printable use: Distribute the jar printables to each student.
Move on when: Ensure students have a clear understanding of what goes inside the jar.
Support if needed: Provide example pictures or stickers for students who struggle with ideas of what to count.
Guided Practice10 min
Teacher actions: Have students start filling their jars with numbers or drawings of counted items. Circulate the room to provide support and answer questions. Encourage them to think of different items they can count or illustrate.
Teacher script: Now, fill your jars with pictures or numbers! Remember, you can count anything you like!
Example / model: Students drawing 6 fish and 4 starfish in their jars.
Printable use: Students will use the printed jar template to illustrate their counted items directly.
Move on when: Check that students are appropriately choosing items to count and illustrating them in their jars.
Support if needed: Pair students who finish early with those needing assistance, allowing for collaborative idea sharing.
Closure5 min
Teacher actions: Ask students to share their jars with the class. Discuss different items chosen and the numbers they filled in. Highlight some creative ideas and encourage class participation.
Teacher script: Who wants to share what they counted in their jar? Let's see those creative ideas!
Example / model: Student shares a jar filled with 2 cats, 5 dogs, and 1 turtle.
Printable use: Students present their completed jar printables to the class, which allows for formative assessment.
Move on when: Listen for student engagement and understanding of counting.
Support if needed: Offer prompts or questions to help students articulate their counting process.

Checks for Understanding

Observations of jar fillings
Listening for accurate counting during sharing

Success Criteria

Students fill the jar with correct counts and items
Students articulate their counting process during sharing

Differentiation

Provide a number line or counters for students who need more help with counting
Challenge advanced students to create word problems based on their jars.

Accommodations

Allow extended time for students who need it
Provide pre-drawn images for those who struggle with drawing.

Common Misconceptions

Confusing the quantity represented with the drawings or numbers in the jar.
Difficulty differentiating between similar items, like counting fruits.

Assessment

Informal assessment through observation during the activity
Review of completed jar printables for understanding of counting.

Extensions

Have students take their jars home and count real objects to bring back and share.
Create a classroom display of all filled jars to showcase counting progress.

How to Use the Printable

Used for filling during the lesson and then showcased during sharing time.
Can be laminated for repeated use in future counting activities.

Teacher Notes

Encourage creativity and exploration in counting.
Monitor student progress and adapt instruction as necessary.

Source summary

Based on: Jar

Printable summary (sanity check): The lesson directly utilizes the jar printable to focus on counting skills in a standard second-grade math class, providing a creative and hands-on approach to learning.