Walk around the room observing the children as they count. Informally assess the children as you call out numbers for them to count out. You can also do this in math journals if you use them. After you have called out several numbers, give each student a piece of paper and let him choose a number, glue that number of “apples” on his paper and write the number. “Eight apples up on top.” “Three apples up on top.” Each time you call a number have the children count out that many apples. Practice counting by calling out different numbers for them to count. Next give each child about ten small red circles or small apple die cuts to use as counters. Stop to count the apples each time you add one. Read the story again and as you read, tape apple shapes to the top of the head when the animals add new apples.

At the bottom of the paper draw a picture of a face. How many apples are they balancing now? Do you think they will fall?Īfter reading and discussing the book, tell the children that you are going to read it again but that this time they will practice counting the apples. Begin reading the book to the children, discussing it and asking questions as you go. Ask them what they think the book will be about. Small red circles to use as counters, ten per child Large sheet of chart paper and chart marker

This lesson plan uses the book to help preschool children practice counting to ten. Young children will laugh as the animals add more and more apples to make ten. Seuss is a silly story about some animals competing to see who can balance the most apples on their heads without dropping them.

Dr seuss 10 apples up on top