Building a love of math plus strong number sense is so important in the younger grades. It is the foundation students need for being able to understand more advanced mathematical concepts.
In order to build strong number sense, young children need a lot of hands-on practice. When we first begin working on number sense, we focus a lot on counting, one to one correspondence, subitizing, recognizing and writing numbers, and comparing numbers.
In order to give kindergarten students the practice they need to master the following core standards, I like to make fun practice activities that will keep them engaged while learning the following:
- K.CC.4. Understand the relationship between numbers and quantities; connect counting to cardinality.
- K.CC.5. Count to answer “how many?” questions about as many as 20 things arranged in a line, a rectangular array, or a circle, or as many as 10 things in a scattered configuration; given a number from 1–20, count out that many objects.
- K.CC.3. Write numbers from 0 to 20. Represent a number of objects with a written numeral 0-20 (with 0 representing a count of no objects).
- K.CC.6. Identify whether the number of objects in one group is greater than, less than, or equal to the number of objects in another group, e.g., by using matching and counting strategies.
Write, Count the Room Activity
I love using write the room activities with young students because they get them up and moving and they give them a chance to get those wiggles out! This especially comes in handy the weeks before/after Halloween (excitement & candy sugar rush!) and the weeks preceding Thanksgiving break when students’ excitement levels are up.
Your students will love visiting each card and counting the cute fall objects, recording their responses, and heading to the next one!
They are so low prep and simple to set up! Simply print counting cards with fun fall objects on them and either place them around the room OR on your desks or tables.
They are also easy to differentiate – simply choose which answer page to give each student and send them on their way!
I differentiate mine 2 ways:
Students circle the correct number from 3 given numbers.
Students write the correct number.
CLICK HERE to try a Free Write/Count the Room Activity for Numbers 1-10.
Number Sense Play Dough Mats
Hands-on play dough / center mats not only help young students build number sense but fine motor skills as well (win-win)!
I created 2 fun fall themes to spark student interest and keep them engaged.
Apples and Worms
Students love making the worm! They have to add the correct number of sections to the worm to make him the correct length.
They also get to add the correct number to the ten frame and trace the number and number word.
The mats can be used in a variety of ways as a play dough mat or a center/small group learning mat.
Pumpkin and Vine Number Mats
For this set of mats, students get to add the correct number of pumpkins to the pumpkin patch (vine) as well as to the ten frame. They also trace the number and number word.
I differentiated the two sets of number mats by giving students a visual aid for how many sections to add to the worm and NOT giving students a visual aid for how many pumpkins to add to the vine.
Hands-On Counting Center or Small Group Activity
This is another easy-prep activity that helps students build number sense and fine motor skills.
This hands-on center can be used with a variety of manipulatives and is perfect for practicing counting, comparing numbers, and ordering numbers.
Simply print out and cut apart strips with numbers on them. Place them in a center with fun manipulatives such as mini-erasers, small pumpkin candies, pom-poms, acorns, candy corn, beads, counting cubes, counters, play dough, or any small manipulative you have on hand.
Students select a strip and place the correct number of manipulatives on the strip beside the number.
Easily differentiate the center by choosing different number strips. Choose numbers that students need to practice.
You can also choose to have students compare amounts from different strips. Ask them which has more or less. Work on number order by having them arrange the strips from the smallest number to the largest.
Cut & Paste Option for Individual Assessment or Practice
For some extra cutting and gluing practice and individual number assessment, I use these pages.
Students cut apart apples or pumpkins and paste the correct number on each line.
For numbers 11-20, each pumpkin line has 10 pumpkins across. Students can place an entire strip and then add individual pumpkins to practice tens and ones.
Instead of cutting and pasting, students can draw apples or pumpkins OR use dot painters/bingo daubers.
Writing Numbers to 20 Differentiated Practice
In addition to number sense, students also need practice learning to write numbers.
Since I have some students that enter my classroom already knowing how to write numbers and some that can not, I use 2 sets of differentiated practice pages.
Each set has fun fall-themed objects for students to count. Then, they trace the numbers and write the numbers on their own.
The first set has large numbers that show students how to form the numbers. This set is perfect for students who are learning to write.
The second set has numbers within 3 lines. This set is perfect for students who already know how to properly write the numbers but need practice writing within lines.
If you would like to try a Free Write/Count the Room Activity with your students, click the image below.
If you would like to use the fall-themed number sense activities from this post in your classroom, CLICK HERE or on the cover image below.
What fellow educators have said about the number activities:
“Talk about differentiated instruction! This is perfect! Thank you!” – Katrina S.
“My students loved using this resource! Super cute and excellent for learning how many!” – Gretchen K.
“Great activity for reinforcing counting and number recognition for the teen numbers. Colorful and seasonal. My kids have loved using these.” – Meg B.
“My kids really enjoyed these mats and practice pages. Cute yet practical.” – Jamecia H.
“This was a perfect save when I needed Morning Work and I’ll be using it often at Centers. :-)” – Pop Gardens
“These are great for my students struggling with teen numbers.” – Lyanne C.
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