Turtle is such a generous and good friend that none of his buddies can say no when he invites them to lunch for a bowl of that "thick and green, gooey and slimy" delicacy, seaweed soup. Will he have enough matching place settings for everybody? Not to worry. This is one resourceful turtle!
Understanding sets is an important step in counting, as well as in learning about patterns.
Illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz.
While reading the story together, ask your child (or class) what things each new character will need in order to eat lunch. As each new guest arrives, count the number of cups, spoons, napkins, and bowls on the table. Discuss how each guest has 1 cup, 1 spoon, 1 napkin, and 1 bowl.
Plan a party (real or make-believe) with a favorite soup as the main course. (The soup can be real or make-believe: Orange Basketball Bubblegum soup—yum!) With your child (or class), make up a guest list and figure out how many cups, spoons, napkins and bowls will be needed. To help children visualize place-settings, use paper or plastic cups, spoons and bowls.
Get a package of plastic silverware (nothing too sharp!) and some plastic cups. Remove one of the forks and of the knives. Ask your child (or students) to make as many complete sets as they can. For incomplete sets, ask what they can find around the room that could serve as a substitute. Be creative, just like Turtle! Try it again, only this time return the fork and take away two spoons and a cup.
