This easy-to-make Math Counts Pasta Counter is the perfect manipulative for teaching children to add numbers zero through ten to get a sum of ten. This is an important concept for all children to learn since it teaches them that each pasta piece represents one number- a skill all children are expected to learn in kindergarten! After creating this craft from simple materials and easy instructions, children and their parents will enjoy exploring the world of addition!

What you'll need:

  • 1 piece thick cardboard
  • 2 pieces of different colored card stock
  • scissors
  • ribbon
  • glue
  • marker
  • ruler
How to make your Odd and Even Number Jacob's Ladder:
  • Glue one piece of card stock to one side of the thick cardboard and press down so that it is secure. Turn the cardboard over and glue the other piece of card stock to the other side, pressing down so that it is secure. Allow the glue to dry. (see photos)
  • Using scissors, cut your ribbon into fifteen pieces that are each six inches long. (see photos)
  • Once the glue on the cardboard is completely dry, cut out six 2 and 1/2 inch squares. (see photos)
  • Line the six squares up vertically. On the left side of the top square, glue one ribbon one-third of the way down the side. Glue a second ribbon two-thirds of the way down the side. On the right side of the same square, glue one ribbon in the middle of the side. Allow the glue to dry. Once the glue is dry, wrap the ribbons around the bottom of the cardboard square so that there are two ribbons on the right side and one ribbon on the left side. (see photos)
  • Repeat the above step for four more of the cardboard squares, leaving the last cardboard square without any ribbon. (see photos)
  • Take one of the cardboard squares with ribbons glued to it and turn it upside down. Place a second cardboard square on top of it. Leave only one inch of excess ribbon on the upside down cardboard square, trimming off the remaining ribbon. Glue the remaining ribbon to the second cardboard square so that there are now two pieces of ribbon glued on the left side and one piece of ribbon glued on the right side. (see photos)
  • Once the glue has dried, wrap the ribbons from the second cardboard square over the top of it and place a third cardboard square on top. Trim all but one inch off of the second cardboard square and glue the remaining ribbon to the top of the third cardboard square. Allow the glue to dry. Wrap the ribbons around the top of the third cardboard square and repeat this step for the remaining ribbon cardboard squares. (see photos)
  • Place the blank cardboard square on the very top and cut off all but one inch of ribbon from the fifth cardboard square. Glue the ribbon down. Allow the glue to dry. (see photos)
  • Once the glue has dried, close your Jacob's Ladder. Take the marker and write the number 0 on the front. Open and write the number 1 on the inside of the first square. Continue writing numbers 2-10 on the remaining cardboard squares. (see photos)
  • On the back of the last cardboard square, write "Odd Numbers: 1,3,5,7,9" and "Even Numbers: 0,2,4,6,8,10." (see photos)
  • Your Jacob's Ladder is now complete to play and learn with!
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