Putting activities together for your little ones to learn math can be a very time-consuming process.
But, on the other hand, you want their math program to be engaging enough that they will enjoy learning and retain most of what they learn.
That is why I created a full-year kindergarten math curriculum for your littles that follows common core standards in the U.S. and is very hands-on at the same time!
As a former classroom teacher and homeschool mom, I know how important it is for little ones to feel excited about their school curriculum. That is why I included characters throughout the workbook that will captivate your child's interest and make math fun! This workbook includes all of the kindergarten common core standards so it is perfect for homeschooling, classroom and as an after-school math helper. It also comes with an easy-to-follow 36-week pacing guide, ensuring your child masters all the essentials for kindergarten math.
The workbook also includes lots of hands-on math including games, puzzles and cut-and-paste.
If math is made to be engaging and fun, students will learn! Number sequencing, also known as putting numbers in order, is no exception.This short article will give you, the educator, practical ideas to help your littles learnthis important math skill.
There are so many possibilities. Here are just a few number sequencing games...
Host a number scavenger hunt in your class or home. Grab some colorful index cards and number them 1 to 10, 1 to 5, or skip counting like by 2s or 10s, whatever your learners are working on. Hide the cards.
Next, have your learners look for the cards and place them in the correct order. If you have a large group for this game, divide the children into groups of 5 or so. Color code the cards so that each group has a certain color. As the groups are finding the cards have them place the numbers in order on a tray in front of the room.
Another game...
Try this one, the timeless game of hopscotch. Go outside and draw the outline of a traditional hopscotch up to the number 10, for example, with colorful chalk. Have your learners "hop" into the squares you have drawn in the correct order.
For even more educational value, ask different students to write in the numbers in the hopscotch squares.
One more number sequencing game...
How about an obstacle course? Students love these! Set up a simple obstacle course with number cards taped to orange cones or something similar, indoors or outdoors, and have the students complete the tasks in order.
Competing teams are always exciting when completing an obstacle course. Divide the group into groups of 4-5 students and have a timer handy to see which team can complete the course in order in the shortest amount of time.
2. Number Sequencing during Story Time
When I was in the classroom, and later when I had my own children, story time was such a special time of day for my young ones as well as for me! We would all get lost in a good book together, sharing laughs and serious moments. Why not integrate it with number sequencing?
Read your story together, then discuss what happened first, second, third etc. Extend this idea by creating a time line!
With this idea, you can also introduce the vocabulary of ordinal numbers, or words that show rank such as first, second, third, fourth etc.
3. Use Puzzles for Number Sequencing
These are super fun to make and very effective when teaching how to put numbers in order.
DIY- Grab a magazine page or coloring book page and cut it into strips, let's say 10 strips. At the bottom of each strip write the numbers 1 to 10 in order. Mix the strips up and have the learner put them in order, thus putting the "puzzle" together. Some of your learners may want to make these themselves!
Take a look here for my inventory of pre-made puzzles.
PreK / Kindergarten math sets the stage for math success later in a young one's academic journey. And, a child who learns to love math is much more inclined to excel in it. Here are 3 steps to naturally get kindergarteners and preschoolers on the right track to math mastery.
1. Preschool | Kindergarten Math- Do NOT Compartmentalize math, but naturally weave it throughout the day.
Math does not belong in a 20 minute time slot. In fact, it doesn't necessarily need to have a time slot at all. It can naturally weave throughout the school day.
As a former preschool and kinder teacher and later a homeschool mom, I learned this hard fact through experience.
Just because a child can write the number 4 does not mean that they understand the true meaning of the number four, that it means 4 items or 4 thoughts or 4 places. We need to take the abstract numeral 4 and bring it down to concrete terms for the 4 and 5 year old.
Math needs to be naturally worked into the school day, and integrated with other subjects for the best results.
For learners to truly grasp math concepts, here are a few ideas:
IN THE CLASSROOM-
When students line up, discuss the ordinal numbers, 1st- 2nd-3rd etc. Let your learners hold place cards with the ordinals written on them.For counting practice, count the students as they walk out/in the door. Write the number on a card and place it on the wall, changing it as needed.When grouping learners, talk about dividing groups into equal numbers for an introduction of fractions.Create a graph on the wall every day, with criteria such as how many students are wearing pants, dresses or skirts. Or else create graphs about personal preferences.For number sense, which is critical to math success, always use manipulatives with young ones to represent a number. That is how the abstract concept of a number becomes concrete in the mind of a little one.
AT HOME-
Buy your child a watch and count the minutes waiting in line at the post office or store.Use cash instead of that credit or debit card all the time, and count up the change for a grocery transaction.Label store items when you get home with price tags and play store for money sense.Count out small items in bags and label them with numbers to practice number sense.
2. Preschool | Kindergarten Math - Ditch the worksheets as much as possible.
It is not about completing those two workbook pages every day. As an example, just because they complete those pages doesn't mean that they understand number sense. Okay, I know worksheets have a place, but they should be used sparingly with the younger ones. Believe me, the rest of their schooling will have plenty of worksheets! One exception here is when students are practicing their fine motor skills, such as when they are drawing a line from one point to the other, or learning to write a number.
3. Preschool | Kindergarten Math - Use the grade level textbook more as a guide, and keep math activities engaging!
If you are in the classroom, of course, you need to adhere to the structure of the textbook. But don't get stuck sticking exclusively to the book. Make sure that you weave in some engaging assignments that will help your learners truly "get" the math concepts. A lot of times those engaging ideas can be found in the margins of the teacher edition of the textbook. In a homeschool situation, I would recommend buying a used copy of a grade level textbook or guide to give you an idea of what should be covered during the school year. What is nice in this type of situation is that you can mix up the order of introducing concepts in many cases. A note here, don't be surprised if your Pre K or Kinder finishes the curriculum in record time, as some of my own children did. If so, just keep on going, as long as your child is enjoying it. A benefit of homeschooling to be sure.
A fun way to practice number sense, the building block of future math success...
Boost number sense with this matching game puzzle which I have created for your learners.
Not only will these puzzles help your learners practice their number sense, but they integrate life science, as all of the animals pictured are egg-laying creatures. Thus you can have a lively scientific discussion on animal classification with your students.
What is included in your complimentary puzzle set.
10 Black and White Egg-Shape #1-10 Puzzle Cards10 Color Egg-Shape #1-10 Puzzle Cards10 Blank Egg-Shape Template Option for DIY20 Student-Size Egg-Shape Puzzles (color b/w)Matching Game Ideas to Use in your Class/HomeBonus Page- Themed number chart 1 - 100Themed Stationary for Teachers and Learners
This is practically no prep.All you need to do is print and cut out the puzzles cards, and they are ready to use independently, at a learning center, or as a whole group counting lesson!
Learners will love to have their own smaller student-size sets to keep in their own space!
Preschool and Kindergarten math needn't be a chore. It can be fun! Find some cute stickers and create your own matching puzzles with these pre-made templates! Learners will also enjoy creating their own while internalizing important number sense skills!
Another idea... Use these as manipulative mats with counters. Label one side with a number, and let your learners place the right amount of counters on the other side! So fun!
Practice counting 1 - 100 with your learners, using this handy number chart, which is included.
Being an part-time doodler, I have created all of the clip art in this resource. (egg-laying critters, okay with a little help from my artist daughter) And so... I thought it would also be fun to create stationary with the clip art. Use these to write little notes to your learners or keep a list of things to do.
Please let me know if you have comments or questions.
