Measure a Christmas Tree

 

This Christmas tree project is a combination of two ideas I recently came across.  On Pinterest I saw an idea for making a Christmas tree, using strips of paper put in order by size.  Then I noticed on several Montessori blogs, that young children are encouraged to use rulers at an early age.   I combined both of these simple ideas into one fun Christmas project for my preschooler, that incorporates the concepts of ordering something from largest to smallest, using a standard measuring tool and counting numbers 1-10.  

Materials

Construction Paper (Brown, Red and Green)
Ruler
Glue Stick
Stickers

Prep

Cut the green construction paper into strips.  I cut mine into 10 stripes...the largest strip was 10 inches by 1 1/2 inches, then I decreased the length of every strip by one inch. 

Steps
First my preschooler put the strips of paper in order from largest to smallest.

 Then she glued the strips onto the red construction paper. 

Next I modeled how to use a ruler, lining up the edge of the paper to zero.  After watching a couple times, my preschooler caught on and was able to measure the strips on her own.  

After figuring out how many inches long the strip was, she put that number of stickers on the strip of paper.  9 inches = 9 stickers.  She continued to measure and sticker each strip of paper.   

My preschooler really enjoyed using the ruler for this activity.  Though she had played with tape measures and rulers many times, this was the first time she used a ruler independently as a tool. 

Oh...I didn't want to leave my tot out....so I cut out this simple triangle Christmas tree for him to glue and decorate too!

Linking up to:Little Mathematicians, TGIF, Thrifty Thursday, Show and Tell,  Teach me Tuesday and Montessori Monday