number activity Archives

Jack and the Beanstalk Pattern Strips

September 4, 2024 By Deirdre

A variety of story elements from Jack and the Beanstalk appear on the pattern strips in this set. When you look over the pictures on the strips will find beanstalks, castles, golden eggs and so much more. Children will be asked to place objects of their choice in the same pattern displayed on the card.

Getting the Jack and the Beanstalk Pattern Strips

First, you will need to download the set.

Jack and the Beanstalk Pattern Strips Download

Second, if you don’t have Acrobat Reader you will need to download it. The set is an Acrobat Reader PDF file.

Third, you need to go to your download file and open the page.

Getting the Jack and Beanstalk Pattern Strips Ready to Use

If you plan on using the cards again, you may want to laminate them. Below I have suggested products that you may want to use to cover them.

The links below are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. My Amazon Picks

PRO Thermal Laminator, Never Jam…$54.68~~$128.93~~ (11154)

Thermal Laminating Pouches, 100 Count-P…$15.98~~$24.68~~ (63556)

Scotch Thermal Laminating Pouches, 200- Count-…$27.99~~$42.99~~ (23612)

Hammermill Printer Paper, Great White 100% Recy…$17.00 (4917)

Pattern Objects You May Have Already

While you can use any objects you want for patterning, I have a few I tend to use over and over again.

Buttons
Small Pebbles
Color Beads
Unfix Cubes
Pom-Poms

Exploring the Jack and the Beanstalk Patterning Cards

The patterning cards can be placed in a center along with the objects you want children to pattern with. However, some children will just try to match the object with an object that is the same color. That means they aren’t figuring out the pattern.

Before placing them in a center, it might be helpful to work on the patterning cards with the whole class or small groups of children. It will give both you and your student time to talk about how to find a pattern. After finding the patterns, they can talk with you about how the pattern repeats on each card.

Books About Patterning

Below you will find some of my favorite books that features patterns. You may want to read one of them with your children before you start the patterning activity.

The links below are affiliate links.

Pitter Pattern is a wonderful story about Lulu and her friend’s search for patterns where ever they go.

Bracelets for Bina’s Brothers shares the tale of Bina’s journey to create pattern bracelets for her brothers.

Pattern Fish explore both simple and complex patterns on colorful ocean creatures.

Teddy Bear Patterns looks at making basic patterns such a skip counting. I think children will love the rhymes in this book.

More Patterning Activities

Election Day Patterning Cards

Ghost Patterning Strips

Rocket Ship Skip Counting Strips

Fall Tree Counting and Skip Counting Puzzles

September 16, 2018 By Deirdre

A friend recently shared a picture of one of her preschoolers working on one of the Community Helper Vehicle puzzles I created. One of her students was placing the pieces on an oil drip pan. She shared with me that she placed magnetic tape on the back of each of the pieces so they would stick to the pan. That inspired me to create three sets of number counting and skip counting puzzles that have fall themes.

You will find that each of the sets contains a 1-10 puzzle, an 11-20 puzzle, a skip counting by 2’s puzzle, and counting by 5’s puzzles. Today’s set of puzzles features a tree with fall-colored leaves. You will find one of the remaining sets has a Halloween theme and the other has a Veterans Day theme.

Downloading the Counting and Skip Counting Puzzles

You can download the Fall Tree Counting and Skip Counting Puzzles onto your computer and open them in Acrobat Reader. While you could print them out in black and white, I would recommend printing them out in color.

Links below are affiliate links.

You will probably want to print them out onto Neenah Exact Index, 110 lb, 8.5 x 11 Inches, 250 Sheets, White, 94 Brightness. Your puzzle sections will last longer on the thick paper with the plastic laminated on it.

Deciding How Your Children will Explore the Puzzles

You can placeMaster Magnetics – B005HYDC68 Roll-N-Cut Flexible Magnetic Tape Refill – 1/16″ Thick x 1/2″ Wide x 15 feet. (1 roll), 07518on the back of the puzzle pieces and have your children place them in order on an WirthCo Funnel King 94482 Drip Tray – Metal Oil Drain Pan, Oil Tray, Heavy Duty, 17 1/2” x 25 3/4”, 6 Quart Capacity, cookie sheet or the side of a file cabinet.
Children can arrange the pieces so that they in order on a table top.
You can glue pieces from a sheet of felt on the back of each puzzle piece. Then you children can place the puzzle pieces in order on a flannel board.

If you like this printable math activity set, here are some more you will love:

Subtraction Treasure Chest Match

Color, Count and Graph Pumpkin Activity

Roll, Write and Count Mats

Ocean Themed LEGO Counting Mats

Leaf Themed Ten Frames

Here are the supplies I recommend you use for this activity:

Reindeer Antlers Number Recognition Match

December 14, 2017 By Deirdre

Your children will have fun finding the antlers that match. Each pair of reindeer antlers displays the same number of points or branches off of the central area of the antler. They also display the number representation of that number of points or branches.

Getting Ready to Play Match the Reindeer Antlers

Printing Out the Number Matching Set

You will need to print out the Reindeer Antlers Number Recognition Match set. It includes to Rudolph cards that the antlers can be displayed above. There are also ten matching pairs of reindeer antlers.

This set was designed to be printed out on a color printer. The reindeer really doesn’t look right printed out in gray on a black and white printer.

Playing the Reindeer Antlers Matching Game

The first thing your children are going to need to do it explore the antlers cards. You will want to help them count how many points or branches are on each card. Then you can show them that the number of points matches the number on the card.

Next, you will need to give each of your children a Rudolph card. They will place each of their matches in a stack above the reindeer’s head.

Then you will need to turn the reindeer antler cards face down on a table.

Finally, they will take turns trying to find matching number antlers cards. If they find a match, they can place them beside each other above their reindeer’s head.

Alternative Game

You can give your children a stack containing each of the antler cards. They will need to sort through their stack to find matching cards. When they have found a match, they can place it over their reindeer’s head.

If you like this reindeer printable activity, here are some more you will love:

Straw Rocket Flying Reindeer

Exploring Printable Mazes with Reindeer

Reindeer and Polar Express Printable Puppets

Christmas Counting Games- Peppermint Numbers

November 23, 2015 By Deirdre

Last year I created a set of turkey numbers that could be used to play Thanksgiving counting games and adding the numbers 0-10. This year I have made two different sets of Christmas themed numbers. Along with the numbers each set has Christmas themed counters that can be for the Christmas counting games. Today I am going to share the Candy Cane Number Recognition Activity peppermint numbers with you. Later this week I will be sharing gingerbread themed numbers and candy counters.

The peppermint numbers come with counting holly leaves. If you think you need something little bit easier for your children to pick up, you could cut out holly leaves out of thick felt.

Below you will find some Christmas counting games you can play with your children. I am sure you will come up with a number of counting game of your own.

Counting Games

Number Order

You can have your children put the the candy themed numbers in order. You can decide if you want your children to start counting a 0 or 1. We tend to start counting at one at my house.

Sorting By Even and Odd

Children can place the even numbered peppermint numbers in one row and the odd numbers in another. Your children may want to add holly leaves to each of their numbers. It will help them to see that the even numbers have leaves that can be paired together. Odd numbers will have one leaf that doesn’t have partner.

Adding Numbers
This counting and adding game has children place the correct number of holly leaves on the two numbers being added. Children can pick up the leaves from the two numbers and place them on number that is the sum.