Zero, the Hero and Zerona
Zero, the Hero Puppet is a great little guy who comes to school every ten days to help us in learn how to count to 100! He also helps us with learning the concept of place value. We start on the very first day of school. I purchased a 1-100 number poster from the teacher's supply store, and we marked off each day until we reached the 100th day. This was included as part of our opening, calendar activities. I found that it really helped the children understand the concept of zero being a place holder, counting to 100 and place value concepts.
We also used little sticks to count the days and had a place value pocket chart to store the sticks until we had 10 sticks. There was a ones, tens and hundreds pocket on this chart (three different pockets.) You can make your own pocket chart or use one that is available at teacher's supply stores. You can use straws or popsicle sticks, too. We would bundle the sticks with a rubber band each time we had 10 and move them to the next pocket. When we had 10 sets of sticks in the tens pocket (100) we would celebrate the 100th day of school. We all looked forward to the 100th day of school when Zero, the Hero needed a friend to help him since there are two zeros in 1-0-0! So, he brought his friend, Zerona--the girl puppet.
Zero, the Hero puppet
(back of Zero)
When Zero, the Hero puppet comes to school we use the poem:
Zerona Puppet
(back of Zerona)
Zerona is the puppet who helps Zero! She comes to help him when he needs two zeros. She can be the wife, friend or sister for Zero, the hero. She has a crown with jewels and a sparkly cape! Both puppets are available for purchase. These hand puppets are made with felt and are approximately 13 ½" x 9 ½". You will also receive a laminated poster like the one above -- 8 ½" x 11" with Zero, the Hero. Each puppet is $20 and includes shipping.
This is a "Zero, the Hero" bag that can be sent home with one of the children as a reminder that we Zero needs help in bringing treats. Zero has treats that are shaped like a zero. I have a letter that is included with the bag with some suggestions for the parents. Some ideas are: Cheerios, Apple Jacks, Lifesavers, Fruit Loops, donuts, erasers shaped like a "0," Apple O's, or anything the kids can come up with in that shape. Everyone looks forward to Zero, the Hero Day and it was a fun way to teach math! The bag is available for purchase for $20.
There is a 10% discount if you would like to purchase Zero, Zerona and the Zero, the Hero bag!
Front side of bag
Back side of bag
The bag is a cotton, draw string bag that measures approximately 11 ½ x 12 ½ inches.
Zero, the Hero Treat Bag
Zero, the Hero puppet, Zerona Puppet and Bag with 10% discount.
I found a link on
line for a read aloud story of Zero. It is a very cute story that teaches
the importance of zero! You could also use Zero, the Hero puppet to tell
the story. Click on the
for
the link to this story.
These little poems were posted on line years ago, and I don't have an author of the poems to give due credit!
I'm Zero the Hero and I'm here to say,
"Hooray, hooray on your 10th day!"
Congratulations on your very first zero.
That's the favorite number of Zero the Hero.
You've put a zero band around 10 straws.
And now we need lots of applause.
I'm Zero the Hero - Let's cheer today.
Hooray, hooray for our 10th day!
Good-by for today, here's a treat that's round and cool.
I'll be back in another 10 days of school.
I'm Zero the Hero and I'm here to say,
"Hooray, hooray on your 20th day!"
Congratulations on your 2nd zero.
That's the favorite number of Zero the Hero.
You have 2 zero bands and 2 bundles of straws.
And now we need lots of applause.
The 10's cup has 2 bundles - that's plenty.
Now we can count by 10s to 20.
I'm Zero the Hero - Let's cheer today.
Hooray, hooray for our 20th day!
Good-by for now, here's a round treat again
Can you count 20 of them?
I'm Zero the Hero and I'm here to say,
"Hooray, hooray, on your 30th day!"
Congratulations on your 3rd zero.
That's the favorite number of Zero the Hero.
You have 3 zero bands and 3 bundles of straws.
And now we need lots of applause.
The 10's cup has 3 bundles - WOW!
Let's count by 10s to 30 - right now!
I'm Zero the Hero - Let's cheer today
Hooray, hooray for our 30th day!
Good-by for now, here's a treat from me.
It's round like a zero, what can it be?
I'm Zero the Hero and I'm here to say,
"Hooray, hooray on your 40th day!"
Congratulations on your 4th zero.
That's the favorite number of Zero the Hero.
You have 4 zero bands and 4 bundles of straws.
And now we need lots of applause.
The 10's cup has 4 bundles - WOW!
Let's count by 10s to 40 - right now!
I'm Zero the Hero - Let's cheer today
Hooray, hooray for our 40th day!
Good-by for now, here's a treat from me.
It's round like a zero, what can it be?
I'm Zero the Hero and I'm here to say,
"Hooray, hooray on your 50th day!"
Congratulations on your 5th zero.
That's the favorite number of Zero the Hero.
You have 5 zero bands and 5 bundles of straws.
And now we need lots of applause.
The 10's cup has 5 bundles - WOW!
Let's count by 10s to 50 - right now!
I'm Zero the Hero - Let's cheer today
Hooray, hooray for our 50th day!
Good bye for now, here's a treat from me.
It's round like a zero, what can it be?
I'm Zero the Hero and I'm here to say,
"Hooray, hooray on your 60th day!
Congratulations on your 6th zero
That's the favorite number of Zero the Hero.
You have 6 zero bands and 6 bundles of straws.
And now we need lots of applause.
The 10's cup has 6 bundles - WOW!
Let's count by 10s to 60 - right now!
I'm Zero the Hero - Let's cheer today
Hooray, hooray for our 60th day!
Good-by for now, here's a treat from me.
It's round like a zero, what can it be?
I'm Zero the Hero and I'm here to say,
"Hooray, Hooray on your 70th day!"
Congratulations on your 7th zero.
That's the favorite number of Zero the Hero.
You have 7 zero bands and 7 bundles of straws.
And now we need lots of applause.
The 10's cup has 7 bundles - WOW!
Let's count by 10s to 70 - right now!
I'm Zero the Hero - Let's cheer today
Hooray, hooray for our 70th day!
Good-by for now, here's a treat from me.
It's round like a zero, what can it be?
I'm Zero the Hero and I'm here to say,
"Hooray, hooray on your 80th day!"
Congratulations on your 8th zero.
That's the favorite number of Zero the Hero.
You have 8 zero bands and 8 bundles of straws.
And now we need lots of applause.
The 10's cup has 8 bundles - WOW!
Let's count by 10s to 80 - right now!
I'm Zero the Hero - Let's cheer today
Hooray, hooray for our 80th day!
Good-by for now, here's a treat from me.
It's round like a zero, what can it be?
I'm Zero the Hero and I'm here to say,
"Hooray, hooray on your 90th day!"
Congratulations on your 9th zero.
That's the favorite number of Zero the Hero.
You have 9 zero bands and 9 bundles of straws.
And now we need lots of applause.
The 10's cup has 9 bundles - WOW!
Let's count by 10s to 90 - right now!
I'm Zero the Hero - Let's cheer today
Hooray, hooray for our 90th day!
Good-by for now, here's a sweet treat.
See you next time. 100 is neat!
I'm Zero the Hero and I'm here to say,
"Hooray. Hooray, on your 100th day!"
Congratulations on your 10th zero.
That's the favorite number of Zero the Hero.
The 10's cup has 10 bundles - WOW!
Let's count by 10s to 100 - right now!
I'm Zero the Hero - Let's cheer today
Hooray, hooray for our 100th day!
Good-by my friends, here's the last treat.
See you next year. 100 is neat!