Halloween is a busy time of year and you may have a long list of math tasks you want to pursue with your students. Math number tasks require a LOT of repetition to develop math fluency but repetition can be boring for little learners. So why not introduce some spooky fun into your Halloween math centers (centres) with some of these free pumpkin number activities (see link at the end to download for free).
1. Counting on with links.
Take a number card, create links for it.
Select another number card and create links for it in a different colour
Then find the matching number card that shows the total of BOTH cards altogether and link the two different coloured links up together.
SKILLS: partitioning, adding, counting on.
2. Number tracing
Pick a number card and trace the number in coloured rice or sand.
SKILLS: number recognition.
3. Threading Bobbins
Pick a number card and thread that many bobbins onto the string.
SKILLS: fine motor skills, counting, number recognition
4. Make the number
Take a number card and place it in the middle of a sorting tray.
Then place the correct number of pom poms, rocks, teddies, buttons or other counters in the partitions. Also, use dice to represent the number in as many different ways as possible.
Extend this activity by using just two trays and creating two parts of the whole with objects.
SKILLS: number recognition, counting, sorting.
5. Peg the number
Take a number card and peg the correct amount of pegs onto it to represent how many is shown. You can also use a dot marker on paper to show how many.
SKILLS: fine motor skills, number recognition, counting.
6. Number sequencing
Take a number card and place it on a number line.
Place the numbers in the correct order.
Place them in ascending and descending order.
Place a random number on the number line and get students to sequence the correct numbers on either side.
Sequence numbers in skip counting 2, 4 and 5
SKILLS: number recognition, counting, sequencing, skip counting.
7. Ten frames
Take a number card and place counters on a ten frame to match.
SKILLS: number recognition, counting.
8. Roll a number
Roll two dice and pick up the correct number card.
Place students in pairs and see who is the first student to reach 100 by adding up their scores as they go.
SKILLS: counting, addition on, addition.
If you enjoyed these activities and you'd like to download the free set of Pumpkin Numbers subscribers can download them now from the Freebie Library.
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