Once Upon a Book ~ Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site {Math Ideas}

 

Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site 

 

Book Summary: As the sun sets behind the big construction site, all the hardworking trucks get ready to say goodnight. One by one, Crane Truck, Cement Mixer, Dump Truck, Bulldozer, and Excavator finish their work and lie down to rest—so they'll be ready for another day of rough and tough construction play! This book has irresistible artwork and sweet, rhyming text.

 

 

Math & Fine Motor

For the math activities you will need:

• Dice (We used a large foam one I found at the Dollar Tree)
• Blocks (We used Unifix Cubes because they snap together and encourage fine motor strength)
• Bulldozer, Dump Truck, or other construction vehicle

Skyscraper Dice Game:

In the book Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site, the construction machines are building a skyscraper. I pointed out the illustrations to Jonah (4.5 years old) and told him we were going to play a game and build our own skyscrapers.

To play:
1.  We rolled the dice and counted the dots.

2.  We counted out the same number of Unifix Cubes. (I had Jonah count these out first so he wouldn't lose track of how many cubes he had added to the skyscraper.)

3.  We added the Unifix Cubes to our skyscraper.

Jonah got a kick out of the fact that his was taller than mommy's most of the time.

Don't forget to use the math terms more than, less than, taller, and shorter with your tot.

Dump Truck Estimation Station:
Place some blocks or Unifix Cubes in the dump truck. Ask your tot, "How many blocks do you think are in the truck?" Allow them to estimate (don't be alarmed if they guess a wild number).

Help them count the blocks. (Note: I placed the Unifix Cubes in groups of 10 to reinforce place value. My little guy isn't ready for place value yet, but I still want to get in the habit of counting this way with him.)

Bulldozer Number Writing:
Place a pile of Unifix Cubes in the floor. Allow your tot to scoop up the Unifix Cubes with the bulldozer and drive them to another location.

Dump them in the floor and count the Unifix Cubes.

Encourage your tot to practice writing the number. (We used our Magna Doodle, but you can pick your tot's favorite writing method.)

Other Books We Read & Recommend:

• Job Site 
• The Busy Building Book 
• Sky Boys: How They Built the Empire State Building
• Big Machines 
• B Is for Bulldozer: A Construction ABC