Number Matching Game

Today we played an extra-fun numbers matching game...we used hearts because of Valentine's Day...but we plan on using them over and over, because we LOVE numbers!  :)

First, cut out the hearts by folding construction paper in half and using our staple method to cut them evenly.  We cut 12...but are going to add more, up to 20 for now, and then maybe up to 30.

Cut the hearts in half:

Pick your numbers out, as well as stickers for the picture part of it.

Put the numbers on the right side of the heart, and the number amount of stickers on the other side.

We laminated them, so they'll last!

We sat in a circle and gave each kiddo one of the left side of the heart...they needed to count the objects and know how many there were...then, when it was their turn, they chose the corresponding number and put the heart together.

This is great for visual learners who need to see to learn...and also a great way for them to associate an amount with a number.

The kids loved this fun game!!  :)

Egg Carton Counting

Are you saving all your used toilet paper rolls, egg cartons, soda bottles??  

A great way to help kiddos visually see how many things a number actually represents is to make several Egg Carton Counters.

Simply write the numbers 1-12 on the bottom of each spot.

Give each kiddo a cup with a bunch of something in it...it can be beads or it can be something fun and edible, like Cheerios, Skittles, Kix...HINT:  Edible stuff is preferred by the kids!!  :)

Then they put one Cheerio in the "1" spot, two Cheerios in the "2" spot...and so on.  This is a great way for the kids to SEE how much 10 is....

Musical Letters or The Best Letter Game Ever!!!!

 We stumbled on this game quite by accident.  We love to play a couple of different music games with the kids...musical chairs and freeze dance.  One day, Janette's husband came up with the idea that we combine them along with the letters to make a fun letter game...and the kids loved it.  

We lay the alphabet around the rug in random order... 

The kids stand in a circle around the rug...and then we start the music.  The more upbeat, the better.  We love the kid's versions of many of the popular songs...the kids dance around the rug and  when the music stops, QUICK!!  Find a letter!!

They all drop down by the letter they are close to.  Then a letter is called, and the one who has that letter brings it to the front and exchanges it for a small treat...like an M-n-M or skittle.  We have them tell us the sound of the letter and sometimes a word.  

Several of our kids who were struggling with letter recognition at the beginning of the year are learning and they love it!

Then the music starts again and off they go!

When it gets down to not having enough letters for each to have their own, they share.  So then there can be more than one winner in that round.  Sometimes we throw numbers in, too.  Just to mix it up.  The kids love the movement and the music and the competition! 

We love this game, and so do our kids!

Sequins and Letters and Glue! Oh My!!

Another easy and fun way to work on letter recognition is to print off a large block version of the letter you are wanting to work on and give them a bottle of glue and some sequins, or buttons, or pom poms, or whatever you would like.  They glue the objects on the letter!  Easy peasy.  Don't forget to talk to them about things that start with the letter while they glue. 

Here is a website with printable letters you can use:

http://printable-icio.ru/image.php?id=28416

File Folder Fun

The kids beg to play with these.  They have no idea that they are learning all kinds of things...sorting, categorizing, sequencing, colors, matching, numbers...the learning is endless!  We try to only pull these out once or twice a month, that way they think it is a treat, and it is a great activity to do when the weather is bad and they can't go out to recess!

This one has pictures of several items and they divide them into HOT and COLD.

This one lets them put the missing alphabet letters in the right order.

This one is more like a beginner puzzle, they match not only the colors of the hearts, but also the shapes of the edges.

These three are matching...the animal fronts to the animal backs, the patterns on the chicks to the patterns on the baskets, and the pattern on the bees to the matching pattern on the flowers. 

And who doesn't love cupcakes?  With cherries?  Match the numbers of cherries with the number on the cupcake!  They count the cherries, then use their number recognition. 

To make your own file folders, you will need file folders and an idea.  We laminated ours so that they would last longer through repeated use, you will probably want to do that, too.  

You can buy books that have file folder ideas in them at book stores or teacher supply stores.  You can also download and print from sites like this http://www.filefolderfun.com/SearchPreschool.html, they have free downloads.  Also try googling "file folders" for more ideas!