Math Centers for the Beginning of the Year (FREEBIE included!)

Hello There! It’s been a while since I have written a blog post but I’m back and will be posting more freebies regularly. I’ve been working on a TON of hands-on, engaging activities to help students learn challenging topics in meaningful ways. So, here’s my new resource…Math Centers for Numbers 1 to 10. Keep reading for instructional strategies, activities, and a FREEBIE below!

Counting may seem simple, but it’s a tough concept for some primary learners. Why? There are a ton of big ideas that help students understand the counting process as well as develop their cardinality skills.

Here’s what students learn when they first learn how to count:

• Develop 1:1 correspondence (as they count they pair the one object as they touch)
• Once they develop 1:1 correspondence, they know the last number said tells you how many
• They know that as they count, each number represents 1 more than the number before it.
• They know how to write numbers to represent a set of objects

Whew! That’s some complex mathematical thinking!

Students explore counting using objects or math manipulatives. They learn numbers with objects, drawings, and discussions!

Here are some activities to help your students develop these skills!

Building Numbers with Links

Students build the number on the card using links. While the students are working, listen to them count and observe and collect data on whether they have 1:1 correspondence.

Don’t forget to talk to them about what they are doing. Ask them, “How many are there?” Listen to what they say and respond appropriately.

You may need to model how to talk about what you are doing, especially when it comes to math. It is just as important to get the right answer as it is to explain how you got the right answer!

Number Puzzle

Did you know you have a math tool to help you count with you always (and it’s not your mobile phone!) It’s your fingers!

Your fingers are a five frame and a ten frame and can help you decompose numbers! This number puzzle help students practice counting with their fingers.

Trace and Build

Let’s practice writing and building numbers. This is a great activity for students that already know how to count to 10 but may not have that cardinality and need practice writing numbers.

Pick It and Build It

For most primary students in kindergarten, you will be introducing five frames and ten frames. This is a great activity to use as an introductory lesson. Ask them what they notice about the 5 frame (it has 5 squares) and 10 frame (it has ten squares) and how we can use them to help us count a collection of objects.

For this activity, students pick a card, count how many, and make an equal set on the five or ten frame.

If you are teaching students to use a 5 frame or 10 frame for the first time, I recommend using objects or manipulatives first.

Pattern Block Builders

Students use pattern block pieces to build the number on the card. This is also a great vocabulary activity as well since students will practice shape names. And students learn a lot about shapes in kindergarten!

Mystery Number

If you say the word “mystery” and “detective” in the same sentence, the students will instantly be engaged!

Mystery Cup is an easy game to play. Put a collection of objects in a cup and have students count and say or write how many objects are in the cup. To challenge students, have them draw a picture to show how many objects they’ve counted.

Flip, Build and Write

 Here’s another engaging counting game. Students flip a card, count the dots and make an equal set on a 5 frame or 10 frame. Then they write the number.

Spin and Show It 3 Ways

 Students use a paper clip to spin the spinner. The number the paper clip lands on is the number they are going to show on a ten frame, draw a picture, and circle on the number line.

Spin and Record

Can you tell I love spinning games? 🙂

For Spin and Record, students spin the spinner and write the number spun in the column of the matching ten frame. They continue playing until all the numbers are filled or until one number reaches the top first.

Number Towers

 Number Towers show students a fundamental math concept: each number said is 1 more than the number before it.

Have students build the number tower and ask them what they notice and make predictions as to what the next tower would look like.

Comparing Numbers

Using the pointy finger, students slide the finger to show 1 more or 1 less depending on the direction given to them by the teacher or their partner.

Mystery Numbers

 Using the number line, a student covers a number and the other student uses their math strategies to figure out what number is under the picture.   This is a great partner game!

 Ten Frame Flash – How many cookies are in the cookie jar?

The teacher flashes a ten frame and the students must construct the ten frame from memory.  Students will start to automatically recognize the number of dots without counting (subitizing!)

Writing strips / Missing Number

 Students practice writing numbers as well as practice writing numbers in a sequence without starting at 1.

Spin and Count On

 Another spinning game! Students spin the spinner and count on from that number.

Sorting

 I have written about why sorting is an important concept and ways to incorporate it into your instruction so here’s a sorting activity for primary students for numbers 1 to 10.

They sort the pictures based on how many objects are in the picture. This is a great partner game for a math discussion.

Roll and Cover

 Students roll the dice and use manipulatives to cover the matching ten frame.

Comparing Numbers

Students pick a card, find the number on the number line and compare the 2 numbers.

Grab a handful and count

Students grab a handful of manipulatives and use a counting strategy to count to find out how many objects they grabbed. Then, they record the number.

Kindergarten Math Centers

Get these low-prep, engaging math centers in one download.

Numbers 1 to 10 Freebie

You can never have too many counting activities. Here’s a freebie from my Kindergarten Math Center packet. You can grab this low-prep activity by completing the form below. 

What are some other activities and games you must help students learn numbers 1 to 10? Tell me in the comments section below!

Happy Teaching!

Tee