The rocket: writing of cardinal numbers and orientation in a squared figure with 5 years old children

Abstract

The activity “The rocket” has been done in mathematics corner in a 5 year old class. We started telling pupils a tale to encourage them to ask for stickers with the purpose of reproducing a squared rocket decorated with stickers in another empty rocket. We describe the different strategies used by the pupils to ask for the stickers until they use written numbers. After that, they must fill their rockets using those stickers. Later, children share how they get only the necessary amount of stickers and stick them properly. We prove that open activities in which children must solve a problem without giving them a close procedure, make them use their mathematic knowledge and give them real sense as tools.