Finger Counting

Overview

Students learn a new way to use their fingers for counting. This method is based on one used in the Kamba tribe of Kenya, Africa. A short video demonstrates the counting method. Students are asked to practice and show someone else what they have learned. A Kenyan flag is provided for coloring. A map of Kenya is provided for reference. A printable practice sheet is provided for students to complete and put in their folders. The driving investigation for this lesson is awareness of other counting methods and other cultures.

Student Activity

Online Student Activity

Introduction

Student Outcomes

Students will be aware of different counting methods.
Students will be able to use the counting method presented in this lesson.
Students will be aware of another culture.

Technology Usage

Computer with Internet Access

Preparation

The Fingercounting video is available in a live streaming or downloadable format. It is reccommended that you use the downloadable movie file if you are not using a LAN to connect to the Internet.

Materials

Map of Africa
Copies of Flag coloring sheet
Copies of the Fingermath practice sheet.

Tasks

Students use a map to find Africa. Class discussion of where Africa is, how far from the classroom, and how many countries are in Africa.
Students watch the Fingercounting video. Show it several times until the students have a good grasp on the method.
Students watch the Fingermath Demonstration. Have students follow along and try the method as it plays. Repeat as often as you feel is necessary.
Students work in pairs to complete the supplementary practice sheet and color the flag.

Presentation

Possible ways of presenting what they have learned:

Divide the class in half and line up facing each other. One line "shows" the counting method while the other line watches. Then switch.
Have students do counting method together in front of other class, other teachers, or parents.
Have students practice the counting method with an older class of children. If the older students don't know the method, your students become the 'experpts' in this method.

Assessment

Check student practice sheets.
Display colored maps.
Observe students carefully during their presentations to see if they have grasped the method. Evaluate attention to process and working together on the practice sheet.

Resources

Online

Offline

Atlas
Maps

Downloading and Printing Files

These pages can be downloaded to your computer as files. Files can then be opened and printed. Choose from two file formats:

Microsoft document format opens the files in Microsoft Word. You can make changes in the pages before printing them.

Acrobat Reader or Portable Document Format (pdf) opens the files in Adobe Acrobat Reader. Pages cannot be edited in this format. However, .pdf files are less likely to be distorted. Pages that contain graphics or large images look better in .pdf and print very nicely. For your convenience, Acrobat Reader can be accessed from this page.

Microsoft Word (.doc)

Finger Counting-includes all materials and student pages.

Let's Count! - supplementary practice sheet

Acrobat Reader (.pdf)