Sara Glover

Topic: Estimation (Counting, Fractions)

Grade level: 1st – 3rd

Title: "The Very Hungry Caterpillar"

Materials: *Variety of concrete materials

*Playdoh

*Construction paper

* "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle

Description of activity:

Read the book to the children. From the picture, estimate the
number of items eaten on Saturday. Count them. Estimate the number
of eggs shown on the end papers. Count them. Ask the children
to represent/ record the number of pieces of fruit the caterpillars
ate (remember the watermelon on Saturday) in a variety of ways.
Pose the problem: how could we make a book with this pattern of
cut pages? Discuss the number of parts, measuring, etc. The children
could experiment with paper – folding to explore the concept.
The children can write a new text as a class, group or individual

activity. As a class activity, children may offer suggestions
of food or animal. The

teacher may need to model the story structure, for example, ‘On
Monday at

one .’ Allow the children to work in small groups to make a book.

Reference:

Clyne, M., & Griffiths, R. (1988). Books You Can Count On:
Linking

Mathematics and Literature.

Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.