Title of Book:
Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Zero is the leaves on the tree
Betsy Franco
Tricycle Press/2009
9781582462493
Grade Levels for Recommended Use: K
TEKS: (K.1) Number, operation, and quantitative reasoning. The student uses numbers
to name quantities. The student is expected to:
(B) use sets of concrete objects to represent quantities given in verbal or written
form (through 9)
Brief Summary: It's easy to count three of something-- just add them up. But how do
you count zero, a number that is best defined by what it's not? Can you see it? Can you
hear it? Can you feel it? This important math concept is beautifully explored in a way that
will inspire children to find zero everywhere--from the branches of a tree by day to the
vast, starry sky by night.
Materials needed:
Any five items of your choice and in sets of five to accommodate the number of groups
your students will be in.
For this lesson:
napkins, Styrofoam cups, coins, post-its, paper, number worksheet, pencils.
Suggested Activity: A game of take away and recognize.
Numbers
1. Launching the Lesson
1) Read the book Zero is the Leaves on the Tree. Instruct students to think about
different times they might have noticed zero and not realized it.
2. Developing the Lesson
1) Place different numbers of each item on the desk. For instance, on one table place
three Styrofoam cups, four napkins, two coins, three pieces of paper, and five
post-its. On another table, place three coins, one Styrofoam cup, four pieces of
paper, two post-its, and three napkins. A variation of the number of items needs
to continue until all tables have different amounts of their five items.
2) The students will draw a picture of each item on their number sheet under the
correct number amount on their paper. Be sure to review numbers 1-5 on the
worksheet with your students before letting them begin the activity.
3) After students have finished drawing their representations of the items, go around
and do a quick check of comprehension and aid students if they have counted
incorrectly.
4) Then go to each table and take away all of one item of your choice leaving zero of
it left on their table.
5) After you have obtain the total amount of one items from each table, ask each
group how many of the item they now have.
6) The student should respond and use their worksheet as a number reference. If
their response is nothing, none, I don't, you took our groups, etc., Then respond,
"What you are saying is that you have zero left; '0' the number should be pointed
out to them on the worksheet.
3. Closure/Discussion/Elaboration
1) Students discuss times where they might have seen zero in their groups. The class
is able to ask questions as the teacher walks around monitoring discussion.
2) In conclusion, remind students to look for the number zero in everyday items.
Resources:
Lesson/Activity- created by Kylee Bible
Numbers worksheet template:
http://illuminations.nctm.org/lessons/countto5/Count5-AS-Numbersto5.pdf
MATH TEKS WEBSITE: http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/teks/111-011n.htm
Adapted by Kylee Bible, 2010