I am hoping to learn Irish and teach my children at the same time. My question is this, I am putting together a series of powerpoint slides which I am going to use as a teaching aid for counting the numbers from 1-10. On each slide will be a number of animals e.g. 1 sheep, 2 cows etc.

When writing the numbers, should I use the format 'a trí ' or just 'trí ' as I know for example that ' a trí ' is generally only used for counting and phone numbers but that the 'a' is dropped in most other cases.

You wouldn't use the "a" if you're saying something like "three cows." There are other considerations, however, including the fact that the singular is generally used after numbers (and some words have special forms for numbering, though not any that you'd use with animals, as far as I know), and that you lenite up through six and eclipse thereafter.

Also remember that you can't use "aon" by itself when numbering things (you have to use either the form "aon ____ amháin," or simply "_____ amháin"), and that there are special forms for "two" and "four" ("dhá" rather than "dó" and "ceithre" rather than "ceathair"). So, using sheep as an example:

Aon chaora amháin (or just "caora amháin")
Dhá chaora
Trí chaora
Ceithre chaora
Cúig chaora
Sé chaora
Seacht gcaora
Ocht gcaora
Naoi gcaora
Deich gcaora

Redwolf

Usually it should be - a trí - especially if you are showing numbers in written form - which personally I think is a good idea, though you can always insert the number with it, if you wish to. But there are quite a few educational websites where this kind of thing (flash cards etc) is already available. I would also recommend using recordings of children reciting rhymes such as Rabhlaí Rabhlaí - first of all because your children will be able to hear other children speaking authentically and naturally, secondly I think it's always better to use numbers in a context that the children can relate to, rather than just simply reciting them.
I don't know if they're still available, but there's the DVD Cluichí Clóis, Spraoi le Chéile, Spreag an Ghaeilge le Spraoi - Scaoil Uait Í and books with CDs such as Dreoilín, Dreoilín, Rí na nÉan le Mairéad Mac Con Iomaire.
Might I also suggest that you use numbers in the context of board games (snakes and ladders for example, again with the numbers on it in written form) or number dominoes, which you can make yourself (which is what I do). I also have boxes of spinning tops of all shapes and sizes and colours, some with numbers on them and a large collection of different coloured dice - which you can have a lot of fun with in the target language.

Hi. Started writing but Redwolf has answered you in the meantime.

You can also just use the noun itself, i.e., caora for "one sheep" - or you can add amháin, or aon ... amháin as Redwolf has done.

I was going to suggest you post your proposed list, either attempting it yourself for confirmation or correction, or in English and we can translate it for you.

An Australian lady with an Irish husband once gave us a bag of toys, and in it was a little kids book in Irish called Comhaireamh - An Fheirm by Ant Parker. Looks like it is still available here so I won't write out the whole text, but some useful numbers in it are:

uan amháin "one lamb"
dhá úll "two apples"
dhá choileán "two puppies"
trí mhuicín "three piglets"
ceithre lachín† "four ducklings"
cúig luchín† "five little mice"

It only went up to five.


†These would be cheithre lachín and chúig luchín in Connemara Irish.


And now franc has answered, too. A haon, a dó, a trí, srl., are for straight counting. What Redwolf has given you is correct for numbers that are modifying nouns directly.

_________________
Múinteoir Gaeilge - Irish Teacher
My "specialty" is Connemara Irish, particularly Cois Fhairrge dialect, but I can also speak Ulster and Munster Irish with native-level pronunciation.
Is fearr Gaeilge ḃriste ná Béarla cliste, cinnte, aċ i ḃfad níos fearr aríst í Gaeilge ḃinn ḃeo na nGaeltaċtaí.
Gaeilge Chonnacht (GC), go háraid Gaeilge Chois Fhairrge (GCF), Gaeilic Uladh (GU), Gaelainn na Mumhan (GM), agus Gaeilge an Chaighdeáin Oifigiúil (CO).

Sorry I didn't make obvious the distinction between simply reciting numbers and counting actual objects such as animals srl, plus of course for counting people it's different as well.

This is a good idea. Counting/numbering is a bit of a complex issue in Irish (as franc mentioned, it's also different when you're numbering people, so if you've got a farmer or two in that powerpoint, things will change!).

Redwolf

I recommend taking a careful look at Lon Dubh's notes on this:

viewtopic.php?f=38&t=1561

This is all great information. I'm thinking I will start with straight counting before moving on to the other scenarios. The slides were only going to display the number and written form without specifying the noun on the slide i.e. 1 rather than 1 cow.

The animals were more of a visual aid to point at when straight counting.

Yeah...probably best not to use them if you're not going to get into the numbering system, as the kids are inevitably going to ask "how do I say 'three cows'"

On the other hand, if you start them young with the numbering systems, they'll probably find them easier than an adult would, so I wouldn't wait too long between counting and numbering.

If they're old enough to start learning time, you might get this for them:

http://www.litriocht.com/shop/product_i ... 1_WufldWSo

A clock is a good way to reinforce numbers.

Redwolf

Just another thing - have you got BunGhaeilge do Thuismitheoirí agus Feighlithe Leanaí ? If you haven't, you can get it from Forbairt Naíonraí Teo and you can choose which CD you prefer according to the dialect.