Activity

✂️ How Many Fortune Teller 1-20

Short craft activity for getting students to count to 20

This interactive Fortune Teller game is a great way to practice counting from 1 to 20 in pairs, with the added fun of an origami craft! It's perfect for engaging students and reinforcing number recognition and counting.


📝 How to Use:

  1. 📄 Print Out:

    • Print 1 copy of the PDF (or use the provided Canva template) for each student.
    • Canva Template Link: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGH9avy79I/GBZP18SVgkcDU-xDfzcYdw/view?utm_content=DAGH9avy79I&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=publishsharelink&mode=preview.
  2. 🔢 Review Counting:

    • Briefly review how to count from 1 to 20 with the class to ensure everyone is familiar with the numbers.
  3. ✂️ Cutting & Folding:

    • Have the students cut along the dotted line (the big square).
    • Then, have them fold the fortune teller according to the WikiHow instructions or this YouTube guide https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAhiIlTxUYA.
  4. 🖐️ Teach Holding the Fortune Teller:

    • After folding, teach the students how to hold the origami fortune teller:
      • Use two hands, putting one index finger in each hole, and one thumb in each hole.
      • Show them how to alternate between horizontal and vertical ways of opening the fortune teller.

🎮 Activity:

  1. 📏 Class Practice (1-20):

    • As a class, practice counting from 1 to 20, alternating between opening the fortune teller horizontally and vertically for each number.
      • Example:
      • "One" – open horizontally
      • "Two" – open vertically
      • "Three" – open horizontally
      • And so on...
  2. 👫 Pair Work:

    • Pairs of students: One will hold the origami fortune teller and the other will be the selector.
  3. 🔮 Ask "How Many?"

    • The person holding the origami will ask "How many?"
  4. 🔢 Select a Number:

    • The selector will choose one of the numbers on top of the origami fortune teller (3, 5, 7, or 10).
  5. ✋ Count Up:

    • The person holding the fortune teller will count up to the selected number. For example, if the selector picks 3, the holder will count "1, 2, 3" while moving the fortune teller.
  6. 🔮 Reveal the Fortune:

    • Once the counting is done, the person holding the fortune teller will open it to reveal a fortune under the selected number.

🗣️ Dialogue Example:

  • Student A (holding the fortune teller): "How many?"
  • Student B (the selector): "Five."
  • Student A (moves the fortune teller five times): "One, two, three, four, five."
  • Student A: "Pick one."
  • Student B (picks a number): "I pick 7."
  • Student A (reads the fortune under number 7).

📝 Notes:

  • Pacing: If you're working with special needs students, go at a slower pace to ensure everyone understands the process.
  • Language: Encourage students to use the phrase "How many?" and practice counting in English.
  • Fortune Teller Craft: If needed, demonstrate how to fold and hold the fortune teller before jumping into the activity.

Happy Teaching,

Carpenter Bee

Files:
Small files
  • How Many Fortune Tellers.pdf (129 KB)
  • Medium files (requires an account to download) -
  • WikiHow Fortune Teller Folding.pptx (5.19 MB)
  • 35
    Submitted by CarpenterBee June 13, 2024 Estimated time: 20-30 min
    1. nisaa1234 June 13, 2024

      I'm planning a lesson with this topic for my JHS special needs students. I have tried making this craft but I don't understand how to play it in pairs? Could you explain it again? In pairs, one is going to pick a number and other is going to fold what part of the craft? I'm sorry and thank you always for all of your amazing stuffs you share.

    2. CarpenterBee June 14, 2024

      Hi Nisaa!

      Okay so you are going to have them cut out the square and fold the craft BEFORE they practice the dialogue. So everything should be made before speaking.

      Once they finish, teach them how to hold the origami fortune teller. (two hands, one index finger in each hole, and one thumb in each hole). Teach them to alternate between horizontal and vertical ways of opening the fortune teller.

      As a class, count 1-20 and alternate opening vertical and horizontal.
      Kind of like:
      "one" - open horizontally
      "two" - open vertically
      "three" open horizontally
      etc.
      (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAhiIlTxUYA) Here is a video of how it looks all folded.

      Review "How many?" and "counting 1-20"

      Have one person hold the origami. Have another person be the "selector".
      The person holding the origami will ask "How many?". The selector will pick one of the numbers on the top of the origami teller (in this case, 3,5,7,or 10).
      The person holding the origami will count up to the number the selector

    3. 2bfrank June 14, 2024

      This is absolute genius! I used to love this game as a kid, brilliant! Any chance you can upload a doc version? Would love to use a version with JHS kids..

    4. CarpenterBee June 14, 2024

      Hi @2bfrank,

      It was made in Canva, so here is a template link!

      https://www.canva.com/design/DAGH9avy79I/GBZP18SVgkcDU-xDfzcYdw/view?utm_content=DAGH9avy79I&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=publishsharelink&mode=preview

      p.s. great username

    5. nisaa1234 June 18, 2024

      Hello @Carpenterbee! Thank you for explaining so well. I tried this activity today in my SN class and it was a blast! The teacher also liked this craft and it went really well. All thanks to you! :)

    6. CarpenterBee June 20, 2024

      Love that! So glad it all worked out~

    7. 2bfrank July 4, 2024

      Cheers @Carpenterbee ! This went down a storm.. great ideas, as always.. so creative and fun : )
      p.s. ha ha thanks

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