Big Fat Hen

Book Title: Big Fat Hen

Author: Keith Baker

Mathematical Concepts and Language:

• Counting (1-10)
• Estimation
• Measurement
• Representing Numbers
• Concepts of more and less

Questioning:

Before:

• What is a hen? What do hens lay?

During:

• What comes next?
• How many eggs hatched? How do we know? (e.g., subitize or count)
• What is half? (when there is 1/2 of the egg in the text)
• On page when it says "lay them straight" - "What does straight mean?"

After:

• On 2nd last page, how many eggs do you see?
• Do you think there are more or less than _______? (ask them to make comparison with a peer)
• Talk about ways that they saw the eggs (e.g., did they notice groups of eggs together)

Extensions/Provocations (Small Group, Learning Centres, Whole Group, Transitions):

• Problem Solving: On page full of eggs, pose question "How could you figure out how many eggs are on the page?" (provide manipulatives, number line, hundreds chart, blank paper)
• Story Retell Provocation: provide materials from the story and book (cut outs or actual materials) and provide a space for children to retell
• Music: retelling the story through song during music (include children to act out and represent the numbers in the story - full body retell)
• Straight vs Curved Provocation: provide different types of sticks or lines (different lengths, curves, straight) - open ended provocation that would bring out conversation around lines, curves, shape.