Pigeon Math Activity
Practice counting, addition, and subtraction with a fun pigeon math activity to go along with Pigeon Math by Asia Citro. I get commissions for purchases made through the affiliate links in this post.
Pigeon Math by Asia Citro
Pigeon Math seems like a simple counting book at first. The narrator is counting pigeons on a line. But the pigeons keep moving and the number keeps changing. What results is a hilarious book with some addition and subtraction mixed in. The Innovation Press sent us a copy for review.
Pigeon Math Activity
Get the Pigeons
Inspired by the book, we’re going to count pigeons on a line. Print out the pigeons for your classroom or personal use. The illustrations are used with permission from the publisher.
Or you can draw your own. Aiden and I drew the pigeons below.
You’ll want at least 10 pigeons to practice adding and subtracting up to ten. You can always use more pigeons if you want to practice larger numbers.
I like to cover my pigeons with contact paper to make them more durable. You could also laminate them or use card stock.
Make a Clothesline
In addition to the pigeons, you’ll need a clothesline. Use string, yarn, parachute chord (like we did) to make a clothesline between two objects.
I strung the parachute chord from the side of our playset to the top of a Cozy Coupe. That height worked out well for my 6 year old and my 4 year old.
You could use two chairs to accomplish the same goal.
Decide on a Method for Choosing Numbers
Next, you’ll need a method for choosing numbers during the game.
You could simply call out a number and have your child add (or subtract) that many pigeons from the line.
You could use number cards or dice to help your child select a number.
I used dry erase dice. I wrote the number 1-5 (repeating the number 4) on one die and the numbers 5-10 on a second die.
Pigeon Math Addition
Roll the die with the numbers 1-5. Place that many pigeons on the line.
Roll die again. Add that many pigeons to the line. How many pigeons are there total?
You can continue adding and subtracting from here by rolling the small number die.
Or you can reset and start over at any time. We like to add the cat to the line. Then, the pigeons can all jump off and make the cat go flying like in the story.
Pigeon Math Subtraction
Roll the die with the numbers 5-10. Place that many pigeons on the line.
Roll the die with the numbers 1-5.
Take away that many pigeons. How many pigeons are left?
Encourage your child to stop and count the pigeons whenever possible.
I love how this activity includes squeezing clothespins which works on fine motor skills.
More Math Activities to Try
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