Supply Safari Project Book Station 1 • Count & Record
Supply Safari Explorer Book
Name:
Date:
Mission: Count the objects in each station tray. Color one dot in the ten-frame for each item you count, then write the total number in the box!
Tray A: Yellow Pencils
Touch each pencil as you count (1, 2, 3...)
Ten-Frame
Total
Tray B: Crayons
Color 1 square for each crayon found
Ten-Frame
Total
Tray C: Counting Blocks
Line them up in a train before counting
Ten-Frame
Total
Tray D: Paper Clips
Group them into pairs of two!
Ten-Frame
Total
Explorer Self-Check: Did you point to each object once?
Yes!
Station 2 • Measure with Cubes
How Many Cubes Long?
Unit of Measure Snap Cubes
Rule: Line up cubes end-to-end starting at the green line. No gaps, no overlaps!
START AT LINE
1
Kid Scissors
Quantity:
cubes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2
Glue Stick
Quantity:
cubes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
3
Dry Erase Marker
Quantity:
cubes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
4
Your Choice Supply:
Quantity:
cubes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Which supply was the LONGEST (most cubes)?
Stations 3 & 4 • Graph & Compare
Quantity Graph & Comparison
Data Detective
3
Supply Count Tower Graph
Color 1 block up from the bottom for each supply you count!
6 5 4 3 2 1
Eraser
Blocks
Brushes
Markers
4
More or Fewer Showdown
Count each box, write the number, and circle!
Challenge A Circle: MORE
Count:
Count:
Challenge B Circle: FEWER
Count:
Count:
Safari Math Explorer Completed! Great job counting, measuring, and recording!
★ Safari Star ★
Object Station Task Cards Math Station Table Mats
Print, laminate, and place at each activity table
Stations 1 & 2
1
Counting Station
The Counting Bins Safari
Trays of 1-10 supplies
Table Supplies:
✏️ Pencils 🖍️ Crayons 🧱 Blocks 📎 Paperclips
Step 1
Touch each item once as you count aloud.
Step 2
Fill in one box on the ten-frame for each item.
Step 3
Write the total number in the big square box!
Partner Talk Prompt "I counted pencils. How many did you count?"
Need Help? Move objects into a straight line before counting to avoid double-counting.
2
Measurement Station
The Cube Runway Track
Snap Cubes & Objects
Table Supplies:
✂️ Kid Scissors 🧴 Glue Sticks 🖍️ Markers 🟩 Cube Trains
Step 1
Place the object flat against the green start line.
Step 2
Snap cubes together until they match the object's length.
Step 3
Count the cubes and write the number in your book.
Partner Talk Prompt "My scissors are cubes long. Which is longer?"
Measurement Rule No gaps between cubes and no overlaps! Snap them tightly.
Math Station Table Mats
Print, laminate, and place at each activity table
Stations 3 & 4
3
Data & Graphing Station
Supply Tower Bar Graph
Sort & Stack
Table Supplies:
🧼 Erasers 🧱 Blocks 🖌️ Brushes 🖍️ Markers
Step 1
Sort the mixed basket into groups of the same supply.
Step 2
Build a physical vertical tower with each group.
Step 3
Color the squares on your graph from bottom up!
Partner Talk Prompt "Which tower is the tallest? That means it has the most!"
Graphing Tip Always start coloring at row 1 at the bottom, not from the top.
4
Comparison Station
More or Fewer Showdown
Compare & Prove
Table Supplies:
2 Compare Bins Object Pairs More/Fewer Cards Number Cards
Step 1
Place the two sets side by side on the table mat.
Step 2
Match items one-to-one to see which has extra left over.
Step 3
Circle MORE or FEWER on your student page.
Partner Talk Prompt "This group has 6 and this has 4. 6 is more than 4!"
Math Vocabulary Use words: more , fewer , equal , and same .
Supply Safari Teacher Guide Teacher Facilitation Guide • Grade: Kindergarten • Time: 60-75 min
Supply Safari Math Project
Unit Focus Counting & Measurement Lab
Target Math Standards
K.CC.B.4 Understand relationship between numbers and quantities; connect counting to cardinality with 1:1 correspondence.
K.CC.B.5 Count to answer "how many?" about up to 10-20 objects in scattered and linear arrangements.
K.MD.A.1-2 Describe measurable attributes (length) and directly compare objects using non-standard units (cubes).
K.MD.B.3 Classify objects into categories, count items in each category, and display data on a bar graph.
Learning Objectives (SWBAT)
Accurately count object sets up to 10 and record totals with numerals and ten-frames.
Align connecting cubes end-to-end to measure object length without gaps or overlaps.
Compare two quantities using mathematical terms more , fewer , and equal .
Key Math Vocabulary
Quantity Measure Ten-Frame Length More / Fewer
Station Materials & Setup Matrix
Setup Time: 15 mins
Station 1
Counting Bins
4 labeled trays with 4-9 pencils, crayons, blocks, and paperclips.
Focus: 1:1 Counting
Station 2
Cube Runway
Snap cubes, kid scissors, glue sticks, markers, and mystery supplies.
Focus: Non-standard Length
Station 3
Tower Graphing
Baskets with mixed erasers, blocks, paintbrushes, and markers (1-6 each).
Focus: Data & Sorting
Station 4
More or Fewer
Comparison sorting mats, 2-color counting chips, and supply pairs.
Focus: Set Comparison
Explorer Passports: Hand each child a Safari Project Book with a magnifying glass or "Explorer Hat" (paper headband) to build high engagement!
Pro Tip
Instructional Delivery
Step-by-Step Facilitation Plan
Recommended: 10-12 min per station rotation
10 MIN
Phase 1: Hook & Modeling (Whole Group)
Engage
Show a "Safari Mystery Bag" filled with random classroom items. Ask: "How can we find out how much stuff is inside without guessing?" Model one-to-one touch counting: move each item as you say one number name. Demonstrate snapping cubes to measure a pencil, emphasizing: "Start at the bottom tip, snap cubes with no gaps!"
35 MIN
Phase 2: Active Station Rotations (Small Groups)
Investigate
Divide students into 4 mixed-ability teams (4-5 students). Ring a safari chime every 10-12 minutes to signal rotation. Teacher roams with the Observation Checklist (Material 4), listening for cardinality (knowing the last number counted is the total) and correct measurement technique.
15 MIN
Phase 3: Math Talk & Synthesis (Rug Circle)
Synthesize
Gather at the rug with student project books. Project or draw the class bar graph. Prompt: "Which supply had the tallest tower? What does that tell us about its quantity?" Have two students bring their measured scissors and glue sticks to compare lengths.
Powerful Math Questions
• "How do you know you didn't miss any pencils?"
• "Why can't we leave empty space between our cubes?"
• "How does the ten-frame help you see how many without counting again?"
• "Which set has more? How many more?"
Common Misconceptions
• Double Counting: Moving hands faster than number chant. Fix: Have student physically slide item into an "Already Counted" tray.
• Uneven Baseline: Not starting cubes at the object edge. Fix: Use a ruler or tape strip as a hard starting wall.
Tiered Differentiation Matrix
Tier 1: Emerging Support
Limit counting bins to 1-5 items. Provide pre-built cube trains (e.g., 5-train) to compare directly against items instead of building from scratch.
Tier 2: On-Grade Target
Count quantities 1-10. Fill standard ten-frame independently, write numeral, and measure items up to 8-10 cubes long.
Tier 3: Early Extension
Count quantities 11-20 (double ten-frames). Measure two objects and calculate the difference: "Scissors are 2 cubes longer than glue."
Supply Safari Math Unit • Designed for Kindergarten Measurement & Data Standards
Quantity Quest Assessment Checklist Exit Ticket • Quick Check
My Safari Math Checkup
Name:
Date:
Show what you know! Count the supplies, measure with cubes, and compare groups.
1
Count the Erasers
Color dots in the ten-frame & write total!
Ten-Frame
How Many?
2
Measure the Crayon
Count how many cubes long this crayon is!
🖍️ Crayola Red
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
The crayon is
cubes long.
3
Compare the Quantities
Circle the group that has MORE !
Count:
Count:
How do you feel about counting & measuring today?
😃 Math Star!
🙂 Doing Good!
🤔 Need Help
Teacher Observational Assessment
Quantity & Measurement Rubric & Tracker
Scoring: 3 = Proficient | 2 = Developing | 1 = Support
KINDERGARTEN PERFORMANCE RUBRIC Common Core K.CC & K.MD Aligned
Math Skill
3 - Proficient
2 - Developing
1 - Support Needed
1:1 Correspondence & Cardinality
Touches each item once; states final number is the total quantity up to 10.
Counts accurately up to 5; recounts from 1 when asked "How many total?"
Skips items or double-counts; tags objects faster than saying number sequence.
Non-Standard Cube Measuring
Aligns cubes to start line; connects end-to-end with no gaps or overlaps.
Measures length but leaves small gaps or extends beyond object edge by 1-2 cubes.
Places loose cubes randomly; does not align with object starting baseline.
Data Representation (Graphing)
Colors correct number of boxes starting from bottom row up; interprets tallest tower.
Colors boxes correctly but occasionally starts from top or skips a row.
Colors full columns arbitrarily without matching object count.
Comparative Vocabulary
Accurately uses more , fewer , and equal to compare two quantities.
Identifies "bigger" group visually but confuses more vs. fewer .
Guesses group size without counting; unable to use comparative language.
STATION OBSERVATION CLASS ROSTER Record score 1, 2, or 3 during station rotations
Student Name
1:1 Count
Cardinality
Cubes Length
More / Fewer
Teacher Notes / Next Steps
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Target: Students with scores of 1 in counting should receive targeted 1:1 ten-frame intervention.
RTI Tier 2 Note
