Young students love using candy corn to practice skills! Not only is it fun for them, but they enjoy getting to eat it as a reward (and I must admit, I love eating it too lol).
Here are some fun ideas for using candy corn to practice math and literacy skills. They are perfect for your fall, Halloween, or Thanksgiving plans! They can be used in centers, in small groups, as early finishers, as party activities, morning work, etc.
Candy Corn Patterns
Candy corn is perfect for teaching patterns! Start a pattern and have students finish it with their candy corn.
Candy Corn Numbers & Counting Mats
This activity practices number recognition, counting, and one-to-one correspondence. My students loved the Halloween version so much that I created a Thanksgiving one as well!
Students pick a candy corn number card, place it in the box on the mat, and put the correct number of candy corn teeth in the jack-o-lantern’s mouth.
By using the cards, I can easily differentiate the activity by giving students specific number cards to use for practice.
We use this in our math groups and as a Halloween party station.
For the Thanksgiving version, students pick a candy corn number card, place it in the box on the mat, and then place the correct number of candy corn feathers on their turkey’s tail.
For an added challenge in some of my small groups, I write higher numbers in the box and have them put the correct number of feathers on the turkey.
Candy Corn Number Sense Puzzles
During the beginning part of the year we do a lot of numbers and number sense work. Many times young students who struggle with numbers lack number sense, so I incorporate a lot of number sense practice.
I love using these digital Boom Cards as a fun, interactive independent center (and students love them too!). Students drag and drop the puzzle pieces similar to putting together a real puzzle BUT I don’t have to worry about lost pieces and cutting, printing, and laminating (yeah!!). And, they are self-checking – woohoo!
Students complete the candy corn puzzles by finding the tally mark and ten frame pieces that match the number at the top of each candy corn puzzle.
Candy Corn Comparing (Greater Than, Less Than)
The shape of candy corn makes it perfect for using it to represent greater than or less than symbols! I tell my young students that the large end of the candy corn should be nearest to the larger number.
For an added challenge in our small math groups, we use both dominoes and candy corn to practice comparing numbers.
Students count/add ALL the dots on each domino and write the numbers on the lines. For each row, they compare the two numbers and place a piece of candy corn in the circle to show greater than > or less than <.
Candy Corn Alphabet Activities
During the beginning part of the school year we do a lot of practice and assessment of alphabet letters and letter sounds. Since students were enjoying the candy corn math activities so much, I decided to make these candy corn alphabet pages.
For this activity, students look at each uppercase letter and place a piece of candy corn on the matching lowercase letter.
This activity practices letter sounds. Students look at the pictures (2 pictures for each letter) and place a piece of candy corn on the correct beginning sound.
Since my students really love doing Boom Cards, I made candy corn alphabet puzzles similar to the number sense puzzles.
Students complete the candy corn puzzles by finding the lowercase letter and letter sound pictures pieces that match the uppercase letter at the top of each candy corn puzzle.
If you would like to use these candy corn activities with your students, they are available in my Teachers Pay Teachers store. You can get both the print and digital resources in a money-saving bundle pack or get the printable pages only or the digital Boom Cards only (alphabet or number sense). Click the appropriate links below for more details:
Candy Corn Math & Literacy Bundle (Print & Digital)
Candy Corn Math & Literacy Printable Pages
Candy Corn Number Sense Puzzles Digital Boom Cards
