Preschool Lesson Plan: Counting with Nature

This is a preschool lesson plan. It develops numeration skills. Students learn through hands-on activities. They count leaves, stones and flowers. This can be done during a nature walk. Encourage the students to observe and interact with everything in their surroundings for consolidation of counting skills and to trigger their interest in the ecosystem.

You can also add some art to this: have the children make their nature counting books in which they draw the different things they have found and count them for even greater reinforcement. A lesson such as this will engage young children with mathematics while cultivating their environmental stewardship at an early age.

Grade Level: Preschool
Duration: 1 Period (30-40 minutes)
Topic: Counting with Nature

Lesson Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

1. Identify and count objects found in nature.
2. Develop an understanding of numbers up to 10 through hands-on activities.
3. Appreciate nature and its elements.

Materials Needed

• Found natural objects: Leaves, pebbles, flowers, twigs, or pinecones in 10 quantities each.
• Number mats or count trays.
• Number cards 1 to 10.
• Large Number Chart with numbers along with images for natural objects to correspond.
• Basket or box of collection.

Preparation

1. Prepare and arrange the natural objects beforehand.
2. Arrange the counting station with mats or trays.
3. Prepare a nature walk area or make one inside using natural objects.
4. Show the number chart at a place in the classroom that is highly noticeable.

Lesson Procedure

1. Introduction (5 minutes)
   • Start with a brief discussion:
     • “Have you ever noticed how many beautiful things we find in nature?”
     • Show some natural objects and ask: “Can you name these?” (e.g., leaf, flower, pebble).
   • Explain that today, we will practice counting using these wonderful items from nature.
2. Nature Walk or Exploration (10 minutes)
   • Take them on a nature walk if outdoors, or some exploration area indoors.
   • Let them make observations and collect small natural items, such as pebbles or leaves, into their baskets.
   • Let each child collect up to 10 items and assist them when necessary.
3. Counting Activity (15 minutes)
   • Sorting and Counting:
     • Allow the children to group their collected items together, such as all leaves together or all pebbles together.
     • At this stage, invite the children to count each group loudly while referring to the number cards.
   • Matching Numbers:
     • Prepare counting mats/trays and ask the children to place the objects on the mats while counting out loud.
     • Match the number of objects to the corresponding number card.
   • Group Activity:
     • As a class, fill out a chart, glueing or placing natural objects under their corresponding number (example: 1 leaf, 2 rocks).
4. Wrap-Up and Reflection (5 minutes)
   • Discuss:
     • “What did you enjoy most when we counted with nature?”
     • “What other things in nature can we count?”
   • Reinforce the lesson by showing them the number chart and asking the students what was under each number.
   • Praise their effort and teamwork.

Assessment

• Observe children’s independent abilities to correctly sort and count objects.
• Check that number cards are placed correctly and match the natural objects.
• Listen to their verbal counting for accuracy.

Extensions

• Creative Activity: Have children draw or colour the natural items they counted.
• Home Connection: Encourage children to take a nature walk with their families to find and count natural objects.

Download the Preschool Lesson Plan