Reception Dinosaurs
Dinosaur Maths

Listen to the story of Harry and his bucketful of dinosaurs; spend time exploring all sorts of dinosaur maths including counting, measuring, weighing and sorting; learn dinosaur counting rhymes and make a class dinosaur inspired number line.

Session 1 Dinosaur counting!

Objectives

Maths

  • Count reliably with numbers from 1 to20.
  • Place numbers 1 to 20 in order.
  • Say which number is 1 more or 1 less than a given number.

Lesson Planning

Bring a surprise bucketful of dinosaurs into class and read ‘Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs’. Children make containers to fill with dinosaurs, to count, sort, compare. 

Children will:

  • Consolidate counting from 1 to 10, 10 to 0, 1 to 20.
  • Order numbers from 1 to 20.
  • Sort using criteria of their choice and explain their criteria.
  • Design and make a container for carrying Dinosaurs.

You Will Need

  • Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs by Ian Whybrow and Adrian Reynolds
  • Selection of plastic Dinosaurs
  • Large bucket and cloth to cover
  • Mini Dinosaurs for counting
  • Role-play props for garden centre, beach, bath time, train, library

Session 2 Dinosaur shopping!

Objectives

Maths

  • Count reliably with numbers from 1 to 20.
  • Place numbers 1 to 20 in order.
  • Say which number is 1 more or 1 less than a given number.
  • Use everyday language to discuss size, weight, capacity, position, distance, time, money to compare quantities and objects and to solve problems.
  • Recognize, create, describe patterns.

Lesson Planning

Solve problems in the dinosaur shop and create a dinosaur themed class number line. 

Children will:

  • Count reliably with numbers from 1 to 20 in Dinosaur Shop.
  • Place numbers 1 to 20 in order to make class dinosaur number line 1 to 20.
  • Solve problem ‘How many handprints fit into one large dinosaur footprint?’.
  • Follow, create and describe patterns while creating number line and using playdough and jewels.

Provided Resources

This session does not need any provided resources.

You Will Need

  • Counting Dinosaurs from session 1
  • Small and large dinosaurs
  • Plastic 1p and 10p coins
  • Shopping baskets, purses, bags, till, price labels and tags
  • Large Dinosaur footprint
  • A4 Dinosaur footprint template
  • Laminating pouches
  • Playdough
  • Colourful jewels or large sequins
  • Squidgy, sparkle numbers
  • Pre-cut numerals from 1 to 20

Session 3 Dinosaur measuring!

Objectives

Maths

  • Use everyday language to talk about size, weight, capacity, position, money to compare quantities and objects and to solve problems.
  • Recognize, create describe patterns.

Lesson Planning

How many mini dinosaurs balance one large dinosaur? Measure and compare dinosaurs. Put in order of size, weight, height. 

Children will:

  • Use balance equipment to weigh dinosaur models
  • Compare weights using vocab - light, lightest, lighter, heavy, heaviest, heavier, more than, less than
  • Use measuring equipment to measure length
  • Compare lengths using vocab - short, shorter, shortest, long, longest, longer, tall, taller, tallest

You Will Need

  • Counting Dinosaurs from session 1
  • Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs by Ian Whybrow and Adrian Reynolds
  • Plastic mini dinosaurs
  • Bucket from session 1
  • Large dinosaur toy
  • Items for weighing
  • Metre sticks
  • Balance scales or pan balances
  • Assortment of heavy toy dinosaurs and mini dinosaurs
  • Mud kitchen resources

Session 4 Dinosaur problem solving!

Objectives

Maths

  • Using quantities and objects.
  • Add and subtract 2 single-digit numbers, counting on or back to find the answer.
  • Solve problems, including doubling, halving and sharing.

Lesson Planning

Harry has 6 dinosaurs – solve problems created when different dinosaurs get lost, invite friends round, share a picnic. 

Children will:

  • Count on and back to solve problems involving Harry and his dinosaurs.
  • Count dinosaurs to make a doubling chart when each of Harry’s dinosaurs finds a friend.
  • Work out solutions for picnic based number problems.

You Will Need

  • Plastic mini dinosaurs
  • Completed class number line
  • Individual number lines and tracks 1-10 and 1-20
  • Number lines/tracks
  • Resources for other independent play contexts
  • Colourful plates and cups
  • Food for the picnic
  • Large copy of list and small copies