Sponsored by: M&T Bank
Written by: Amelia Schrader
Senior Manager of Learning and Education
Materials
Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, Orange and Purple Squares
Full sheet of Black or Brown Construction paper
Pencil
Scissors
Glue
Length:
Approximately 20 minutes
Academic Subject(s):
Math, Arts, Social Studies
This lesson supports your child’s PreK – 1st Grade Curriculum: PK.PDH.5, PK.MATH.1, PK.MATH.12, PK.ARTS.16
K.SEL.3, K.SOC.41.ARTS.17
Did you know that newborns and children under 5 are the most underrepresented populations in the census? Accurately counting every member of your household help influence billions of dollars in federal funding that goes to schools, hospitals and other critical community resources. In addition to funding resources in our community, the results of the 2020 Census helps to determine how many seats in Congress each state receives.
This activity gets both kiddos and their adults thinking about who to count in the 2020 Census.
Directions:
Step 1: Start by outlining the shape of your house on black or brown construction paper. Be creative here! Carefully cut out the outline.
Step 2: Cut out different color squares using the color code below. If you don’t have one of these colors just substitute it for one you do have! You can also use white paper and color the squares using crayons, markers or colored pencils.
Step 3: Count out the members of your household. Remember we are looking at the people who live with you most days of the year, not every member of your family. Make sure you have one square for each member of your family for example if you have two siblings you will need two orange squares for your house. Don’t forget a square to count yourself!
Step 4: Glue the squares into your house!
Step 5: Practice writing the names of each member of your household in their corresponding square. How many people live in your home? How many pets? Working through this art project together helps your child understand much more than the importance of the 2020 Census. Children will practice fine motor skills, color, letter and shape recognition, counting and one to one correspondence.
Vocabulary Words
· Census – The process by which the government counts people. The data collected in the 2020 Census will be used to assess state and local voting districts and influence how $800 billion in federal funds are distributed throughout the country.
· Outline – A line or set of lines used to indicate the outer edge or shape of an object.
· One to One Correspondence – The early childhood math skill of counting one object in a set once, and only once. This goes beyond the ability to count but relies on an understanding of number symbols representing a quantity.
