Stacking Strokes Slides Stacking Strokes
Learning to count with 1, 2, and 3
一 · 二 · 三
Number One
This is Yī.
Think: One finger, one line, one block.
一
Number Two
This is Èr.
The bottom line is slightly longer.
二
Number Three
This is Sān.
Middle line is the shortest. Bottom is the longest!
三
Activity: Stack It!
一
1 Block
二
2 Blocks
三
3 Blocks
Stroke Stacking Worksheet Stroke Stacking
Dragon Count · Lesson 1
Name:
Date:
1
Trace and Say the Numbers
一
Yī
一
一
二
Èr
二
二
三
Sān
三
三
2
Count the Blocks and Write the Character
Draw 3 dragon eggs!
Line Logic Teacher Notes Line Logic
Teacher's Instructional Guide · Lesson 1
1-3
Numbers
Lesson Objective
Students will recognize and write the Chinese characters for 1 (一), 2 (二), and 3 (三) by identifying the number of horizontal strokes and their relative lengths.
Pinyin Pronunciation
Yī · Èr · Sān
Key Teaching Points
Stroke Order: Left to Right
Always model drawing horizontal lines from left to right. This establishes foundational handwriting habits for more complex characters later.
Stroke Length Comparison
Number 2: The top line is slightly shorter than the bottom line.Number 3: The middle line is the shortest; the bottom line is the longest.
The Hook
"If I have one apple, I draw one line. What if I have three apples? How many lines do I need?"
Guided Practice
Use wooden blocks or LEGOs to represent quantities.
Have students "air-write" the strokes with giant arm movements.
Play "Number Statue": Teacher says a number, students hold up that many fingers and freeze.
Common Misconceptions
Students may try to draw vertical lines (like Roman numeral I). Emphasize horizontal "sleeping" lines.
In number 3, students may make all lines equal length. Reiterate the "Short-Middle, Long-Bottom" rule using the stacking blocks visual.
Windows and Crosses Slides Windows & Crosses
Learning the shapes for 4, 5, and 10
四 · 五 · 十
Number Four: Sì
It looks like a Window with curtains inside!
Draw the box first, then put the curtains inside, then close the floor!
四
Number Ten: Shí
It looks like a Cross or a plus sign.
Think: A crossing in the middle of a road!
十
Number Five: Wǔ
This one is tricky! It looks like a Chair or a block with a handle.
Trace carefully: Top bar, vertical, "belly", then bottom bar!
五
Can you find them?
四
十
五
Point to the "Window" (Number 4)!
Character Mnemonics Worksheet Character Clues
Dragon Count · Lesson 2
Name:
Draw the picture inside the character to help you remember!
四
Sì
The Window
Trace the box and draw curtains inside!
四
四
十
Shí
The Cross
Trace the road crossing!
十
十
五
Wǔ
The Dancing Box
Trace the wiggly shapes!
五
五
Mnemonic Magic Teacher Notes Mnemonic Magic
Teacher's Instructional Guide · Lesson 2
4, 5, 10
Complex Shapes
Lesson Objective
Students will move beyond simple lines to recognize characters for 4, 5, and 10 by using visual analogies (Windows, Chairs, and Crosses).
Pinyin Pronunciation
Sì · Wǔ · Shí
Visual Storytelling
四
The Window (4)
Explain that the two strokes inside are like curtains. Key Rule: "Build the walls, put in the curtains, then close the door (bottom line)."
十
The Crossroads (10)
Remind students of a "Plus" sign or two roads crossing. Order: Horizontal line first, then vertical line cuts through it.
五
The Dancing Chair (5)
The most complex. Show it as a person sitting on a chair or a box with a handle. Emphasize the four distinct strokes.
The Hook
"We ran out of simple stacked lines! How do we write numbers when they get bigger? We use shapes!"
Active Learning
Mnemonic Drawing: Have students use different colors for the "curtains" in 4 or the "cross" in 10.Body Shapes: Can students make a "Ten" (十) using their whole bodies? (Arms out wide).Window Search: Look around the classroom for square windows to reinforce Number 4.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 4 (Sì) sounds similar to the word for "death," so it's often considered unlucky. 10 (Shí) is a perfect number, representing completion. Sharing these small facts builds cultural curiosity!
Hand Sign Heroes Slides Hand Sign Heroes
Secret hand signs for 6, 7, 8, and 9
六 · 七 · 八 · 九
Number Six: Liù
The Telephone!
Character: Looks like a little person with arms and legs!
Hand: Thumb and Pinky out (like a phone).
六
"Hello?"
Number Seven: Qī
The Pinch!
Character: Like an upside-down 'T' with a curve.
Hand: Thumb, Index, and Middle finger pinched together.
七
"Pinch it!"
Number Eight: Bā
The Mustache!
Character: Just two legs sliding apart.
Hand: Thumb and Index finger out (like a finger gun or mustache).
八
"Lucky Eight!"
Number Nine: Jiǔ
The Hook!
Character: A slide with a big hook at the end.
Hand: Index finger hooked like a captain's hook.
九
"Catch it!"
Number Sign Matching Cards Memory Match: Hand Signs
Cut out the cards and match the Character to its Hand Sign!
六
Liù
Telephone
Thumb & Pinky
七
Qī
Pinch
3 Finger Pinch
八
Bā
Mustache
Thumb & Index
九
Jiǔ
Hook
Curled Index
十
Shí
Fist
Closed Fist
Pro-tip: Glue these to index cards to make them extra sturdy!
Gesture Guide Teacher Notes Gesture Guide
Teacher's Instructional Guide · Lesson 3
6 - 9
Hand Signs
Lesson Objective
Students will recognize the characters for 6, 7, 8, and 9 by associating them with cultural hand gestures used in China for counting on one hand.
Pinyin Pronunciation
Liù · Qī · Bā · Jiǔ
Hand Gesture Mastery
Number The Sign Mnemonic Clue 六 (6) Thumb and Pinky extended. "The Telephone" - Looks like the character's top arms. 七 (7) Thumb, index, and middle finger tips touched. "The Pinch" - Looks like a bird's beak or the character's hook. 八 (8) Thumb and index finger extended (finger gun). "The Mustache" - Looks like the two wide "legs" of the character. 九 (9) Index finger curled into a hook. "The Hook" - Mirrors the distinct hook stroke at the end of the character.
The Hook
"Did you know you can count all the way to ten with just ONE hand? It's like a secret code!"
Game: Silent Signals
Teacher shows a character card. Students must silently make the hand sign. Then swap: Teacher makes a sign, students point to the correct character on the board.
Stroke Reminder
Number 8 (八) is two separate strokes that don't touch. Number 9 (九) has a stroke that crosses through another. Watch for students confusing these with the hand gestures—remind them the hand signs are "short-cuts" for the long names!
Market Mastery Slides Number Market
Time to shop using your Chinese numbers!
The Market is Open!
How to Shop
1
Find an item!
Look for toys or snacks around the room with price tags.
2
Read the price!
Look at the Chinese character. Is it 三 (3) or 八 (8)?
How to Pay
Price Tag 五
Match your Dragon Coin to the price tag!
五
一
十
Give the correct coin to the Shop Keeper.
What is your job?
SHOPPER
Choose items and pay with the right coins!
KEEPER
Check the price tags and collect the coins!
Price Tag Printables Market Price Tags
Cut these out and tape them to items in your shop!
Dragon Market
一
PRICE: 1
Dragon Market
二
PRICE: 2
Dragon Market
三
PRICE: 3
Dragon Market
四
PRICE: 4
Dragon Market
五
PRICE: 5
Dragon Market
六
PRICE: 6
Dragon Market
七
PRICE: 7
Dragon Market
八
PRICE: 8
Dragon Market
九
PRICE: 9
Dragon Market
十
PRICE: 10
Dragon Market
一
PRICE: 1
Dragon Market
二
PRICE: 2
Dragon Dollars Currency Dragon Coins
Cut out these coins for students to use as currency!
一
1
二
2
三
3
四
4
五
5
六
6
七
7
八
8
九
9
十
10
一
二
三
四
五
六
七
八
九
十
Teacher Tip: Print multiple copies and laminate for a realistic marketplace feel!
Market Manager Teacher Notes Market Manager
Teacher's Instructional Guide · Lesson 4
Simulation
Market Day
Lesson Objective
Students will apply their knowledge of characters 1-10 in a practical, social context by identifying prices and paying with corresponding character coins.
Key Skill
Recognition & Math
Market Setup
Inventory & Pricing
Collect classroom items (blocks, pencils, books) and attach the Price Tag Printables . Mix the numbers up so students have to hunt for specific prices.
Distribute Dragon Dollars
Give each "Shopper" a small pouch or envelope with a mix of coins (一 to 十). Ensure they have at least one of each coin to start.
Roles
Shoppers: Must find an item, read the price character out loud, and find the matching coin.
Shop Keepers: Must verify that the coin matches the price tag. If correct, they say "Xièxie!" (Thank you).
Key Phrases
"Duōshǎo qián?" (How much?)
"_____ kuài." (_____ dollars.)
Even if they just use the numbers, encouraging the full phrase is a great bonus!
Misconception Alert
Students may confuse 6 (六) and 4 (四) because of the boxy nature. Remind them: 4 is a "Window" (enclosed box), 6 is a "Person" (open at the bottom).
Bingo Battle Slides Bingo Battle
Can you recognize all the numbers from 1 to 10?
The Grand Review Game!
Rapid Fire Review
一
1
二
2
三
3
四
4
五
5
六
6
七
7
八
8
九
9
十
10
How to Play
1
Listen carefully!
2
Find the character.
3
Mark it with a chip!
一
五
十
八
三
六
四
九
二
BINGO!
When you get 3 in a row (across, down, or diagonal)...
SHOUT "BINGO!"
Number Bingo Boards BINGO!
Board A
一
五
十
八
三
六
二
九
BINGO!
Board B
四
七
二
五
一
十
三
八
BINGO!
Board C
六
九
四
七
五
十
二
一
Bingo Caller Teacher Notes Bingo Caller
Teacher's Instructional Guide · Lesson 5
Review
Mastery
Lesson Objective
Students will demonstrate rapid recognition of Mandarin characters 1-10 through a high-energy Bingo game, connecting auditory cues (Pinyin) to visual symbols.
Total Numbers
1 - 10
Bingo Caller Cheat Sheet
一
Yī (1)
二
Èr (2)
三
Sān (3)
四
Sì (4)
五
Wǔ (5)
六
Liù (6)
七
Qī (7)
八
Bā (8)
九
Jiǔ (9)
十
Shí (10)
Difficulty Levels
Level 1: Visual Aid
Show the character card AND say the name. (Best for first round).
Level 2: Auditory Only
Say only the Pinyin name. Students must recognize the sound.
Level 3: Mystery Sign
Show only the HAND SIGN. Students must match it to the character.
Prize Ideas
"Dragon Master" stickers
A few "Dragon Coins" to spend at the next market
Being the "Bingo Caller" for the next round
Temporary dragon stamp on the hand
