Chicken Math

D’s third math block for this year was about the times tables. Although we have talked about multiplication before, we haven’t tried to memorize the math facts. Like other Waldorf blocks, these facts are introduced through stories. Since D loves to help with our chickens, I decided to make them the basis for our unit. D did request, however, that I do one story about beetles. (He has a “pet” beetle.) Since beetles have six legs, I used them for the sixes. And no, I could not have a story where a chicken eats a beetle!

For each times table (2 to 9), there is a story or instruction about chickens, skip counting on a 100’s chart (to see patterns), and practice with the math facts. We do this in the three-day rhythm (overlapping days to do two in each week). The times tables can be done in any order, but following is what I did. Note that, by the time you get to the last times table, there is only one fact to learn.

2’s tables Intro, then “Eyes and Ears of Birds” from Handbook of Nature Study, p. 36
Practice math facts with a beanbag.

9’s tables “The Secret Nests of the Spotty Dotties” from http://www.boggycreekfarm.com
(Tell it with 9 chickens standing in line waiting for the Spotty Dotties.)
Note how multiples of 9 always add to 9, etc.
Practice with the Math-It board

5’s tables “Feathers as Clothing” from Handbook of Nature Study pp. 27-29
Practice with the skip counting CD
Poem on p. 29

3’s tables “The Form and Use of Beaks” from Handbook of Nature Study pp. 37-38
“The Chicken Who Wouldn’t Eat Gravel” from http://www.mainlesson.com/
(Tell it with 3 chicks in the brood.)
Practice with Wrap-Ups.

6’s tables Story about beetles running, then hiding under rocks. How many legs?
Or “The Black Spanish Chicks” from http://www.mainlesson.com/
(Tell it with 6 eggs.)
Practice with times table song

4’s tables “The Feet of Birds” from Handbook of Nature Study pp. 39-40
(4 toes on a hen’s foot)
Practice with Math-It board, and review all previous times tables.

8’s tables “Chicken Ways” from Handbook of Nature Study pp. 41-44
Use “Chicken Talk” from http://www.upc-online.org/stories/chicken_talk.html to find 8 things that chickens say.
Practice with Wrap-Ups.

7’s tables Only one fact left! 7x7=49
Our seven chickens each ate seven weeds from the garden, etc….
Practice all with times tables songs.

I hope you can tell that you can do this around ANY theme. Just try to match the numbers with something in the story. Some stories (like the Spotty Dotties) can be used for any number by just adjusting the facts. I found that once I started looking, the stories came to me. It was fun!