Comparing Numbers in Kindergarten Math
If you’ve ever seen Kindergarten Cop, then you have some insight into what teaching kindergarten truly looks like.
Teaching kindergarten doesn’t have to look this way. (But for real, some days I feel like Arnold here.)
Structure is the glue that holds a kindergarten classroom together.
That’s why this month is dedicated to different activities to help the school year run smoothly for both TEACHERS AND PARENTS. These are all things you can start preparing now to save you time later.
Last week we talked all about letter identification, so, to keep things fair, this week is dedicated to Number ID (otherwise known as number identification) and comparing numbers in kindergarten math!
If you’ve ever taught preschool, kindergarten or first grade, you know what a struggle comparing numbers can be for some kids.
If you’re a parent and reading this blog, it’s safe to assume you taught your kiddos numbers before they went to school.
If that’s true, take a minute and pat yourself on the back for being an awesome parent. Too many times we get stuck in the comparison trap and think another parent is super mom/dad and we aren’t matching up. YOU ARE AWESOME. Do not forget that!
Anyway, before I get too carried away, let’s get down to the brass tax of NUMBER ID!
Number ID is the ability to recognize a number in any given order.
When kids are given a number identification assessment at school, the teacher has them look at number cards in no specific order. This is how you should practice at home.
Most kindergarten math learning standards assess numbers 0-31. I recommend practicing these numbers and numbers all the way to 100.
If you know me, then you know I am not a huge fan of kindergarten math worksheets. I prefer math activities and math games that align with kindergarten common core standards while being fun and engaging. Ideally, every day in a kindergarten math lesson there’d be some kind of comparing numbers activity. Even holding up number cards and saying “Which number is bigger? Smaller? How do you know?”
This first game is perfect for independent math centers or a group activity. The point of this game is to match the number card to the corresponding picture card. This game also provides enrichment opportunities for students with ten frame cards. Ten frames are the building blocks to teaching place value and we don’t touch on that much in kindergarten math. However, I feel any kindergarten teacher or parent can start using ten frames to start the foundational knowledge for place value.
By the time our kindergartners go to first grade, they jump in with both feet learning place value. (I used to teach first grade!)
The Kindergarten Math Numbers 0-10 Game is perfect for math centers, home school, or a fun game for home to practice number ID.
The Number Identification Kindergarten Math Game is a great math activity to practice number ID automaticity. We want our kids to be able to identify numbers in any order automatically, and these cards provide a great way to see the number and then say it. The number cards can be used in a variety of ways. Teachers can use them at kindergarten or first grade math centers to help build numbers, write numbers or simply say numbers. Parents can use them at home to practice number ID with their child! They are easy to print and easy to store.
I recommend printing both math games on cardstock and then laminating them. This makes them sturdy and they will last for years to come!
Teaching number identification doesn’t have to be as hard as Arnold made it look in the movie. I promise you, if you print these games and start playing them, your students or child will love number ID! The great thing about both kindergarten math activities is that they work for preschool, home school or first grade math!
If you’re looking for ways to change up your literacy block (these ideas work for math time too!) - CLICK HERE!
What are some of your favorite kindergarten math center activities? Tell me in the comments!