One is a Snail, Ten is a Crab: A Counting by Feet Book
What’s inside...
If one is a snail, and two is a person, we must be counting by feet! This book is a hilariously illustrated introduction to simple counting and multiplication that incorporates various creatures with different numbers of feet, including people, spiders, dogs, insects, snails, and crabs, ranging from one to one hundred.
Age
3-5
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Snail
Spider
Insect
Dog
Person
Crab
Discussion points
Can you imagine what other animals might have an interesting number of feet? How many feet would they have?
Why do you think the authors chose certain animals and insects to represent each number?
How do the illustrations in the book help you understand the numbers better?
If you were to add a new page to the book, which creature would you choose and why?
How do you think the snail feels being number one? What about the crab at number ten?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to count their own fingers and toes along when numbers are mentioned, making the reading experience interactive and fun.
Use household items to visually represent the numbers in the book, such as lining up ten blocks for 'ten is a crab'.
After reading, engage in a playful activity where your child pretends to be different animals from the book, counting their steps as they go.
Discuss the unique characteristics of each animal or insect featured in the book, linking it to their corresponding numbers.
Post-reading, ask your child to draw their favorite scene or character from the book, reinforcing their comprehension and memory of the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Counting and Basic Math Skills
Explanation: The book uses a creative approach by associating numbers with the feet of various creatures, which helps children visualize and understand counting in an engaging way.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these skills in everyday life by counting objects around them, such as counting their own fingers and toes or the number of steps they take.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Imagination
Explanation: By linking numbers to animals and their feet, the book encourages children to think creatively about numbers and animals.
Real-World Application: This imaginative thinking can be transferred to other learning areas, thereby enhancing creative problem solving and innovative thinking in daily activities.
Example Lesson: Understanding Diversity in Nature
Explanation: The book showcases a variety of creatures, highlighting the diversity of life forms and the different number of feet they have, which can foster a deeper respect and curiosity for biology and nature.
Real-World Application: Children can observe and appreciate the diversity in wildlife during nature walks or visits to the zoo, helping them understand and respect biological differences and ecosystems.
Example Lesson: Sequential Learning
Explanation: The progression from 1 to 10 helps children understand sequence and order, which are fundamental concepts in early math learning.
Real-World Application: This concept of sequence can help children follow steps in tasks, organize their activities, or even narrate events in the correct order.
Example Lesson: Collaboration and Sharing
Explanation: The interactive format of the book encourages children to count together and discuss what they see, promoting collaborative learning and social skills.
Real-World Application: These collaborative skills can enhance children’s ability to work with others in school projects, playtime, and other social settings.