Building Number Sense

My Kinders and I have spent the entire year working to build number sense.  And, I must say they are doing quite well!  We engage in a variety of activities daily that provide practice in this very important skill.  I took pictures of some of the number sense building activities/tools we have in our classroom.  (Of course, there is lots more than what is here...)

Making numbers.  I found these cute "Story of..." printables at the link below.  The wooden flowers were a wonderful donation - students use them to act out the story of their numbers.

Number bracelets.  I saw these at a Singapore Math workshop last year, and made these as soon as I got back.  My kids love them!  Hint:  I used an address label covers with clear tape to make the labels.  So far they have held up pretty well.

 <a href="http://www.sparklebox.co.uk/#.T6SPvbpF0_s.blogger">1000s FREE Pre-K to Elementary printable teaching aids</a>

Making 8.  Students use red and yellow balloons to make 8 in different ways.

Number Farm.  I made the farm work mat to go with the farmer and his animals.  There are ten farmers - each with a number on his bucket.  Students place the farmer next to his barn and then place horses and cows to make the number shown.

Counting fingers.  I used my Cricut to cut hands that were glued (not the fingers) onto paper.  Students can fold down fingers to make different numbers.  This can also be used to do addition with sums to ten.

Number Bond flash cards.  My kids love these!  I should have flipped one card over to show that the dotted square is blank on the "student" side.  We use these while waiting for morning announcements, transition fillers, and to play "Around the World."  (I think these are from Crystal Springs.)   I have a set of similar cards available on Teachers pay Teachers.

Magnetic Ten Frame paddle.  Another great "sponge time" activity.  There is one ten frame on the other side.  They come in a set of four, so this is also a great small group item.

Dot Card War.  Using dot cards, students play "War" - whoever has the highest number takes both cards.

Place value practice pocket chart.  The cards stuck in the top pocket unfortunately have a glare on them.  It is a great tool for teaching place value - the orange card is printed with 100 and the red card has 50 printed on it.  We talk about this everyday, and I am super impressed by how much my Kinders are understanding place value!

Ten Frame chart.  This hangs in the front of my room.  We refer to it often.  I made it using blank ten frames and blue circles I punched out using a scrapbooking punch.

Life Size Number Line.  I made this using an inexpensive carpet runner and duct tape. 

Spin Zone magnetic coins and spinners.  This is a really nifty item!

Monday's morning problem.

Money Pocket chart.

Interactive Math bulletin board display from Scholastic.  Students select a number card and then use fruit and vegetable cut outs to show that number.

Here is the link to a math freebie.  We are currently using it in our Math Literacy Station.  Pictures to be posted soon!

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B-Zg8ty5Slq9MXMyZ0lLTFlyNTQ

And, here is a link to a Math Centers Linky party!

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