Lately, I’ve been busy hopping down a bunny trail! Well… actually just the trail of carrots left for the bunny!
Carrots are a perfect springtime theme. They fit as an Easter theme but not overtly so. Crunching on a carrot is a healthy alternative during another sweets-laden holiday. In addition, they fit equally well with a planting or garden theme.
Bunch of Carrots Photo by Fruits+Veggies
A Peek at My Trail of Carrots
- Subtract All or Subtract None Carrot Crunching– Blog Post Freebie, K-2
- Rows of Carrots Ordering Numbers 0-120– TpT Store, K-2
- Carrot Garden Craftivity– Math and Literacy, K-3
- Counting Carrots– A Preschool Busy Bag Activity
Subtract All or Subtract None Carrot Crunching
To begin with, I wrote a blog post about this carrot crunching concrete activity for subtracting all or none of a given number. This is a free hands-on resource that can help you build a foundation of understanding for subtraction concepts or strategies in kindergarten, first or second grades.
It includes a big-mouth rabbit mat, an optional half-page ten frame mat, optional carrot counters, and four sets of 8 task cards, in color and black/ gray/ white. There is also a half-page recording sheet, in two formats. This activity may be used with a whole class or small groups, or as an independent math station.
Rows of Carrots Ordering Numbers 0-120
Next, I forged ahead with creating Rows of Carrots, a carrot themed open-ended resource for sequencing numbers 0-120 in a variety of ways. It can be used for ordering sets of consecutive or non-consecutive numbers and for counting by 10’s, 5’s, 2’s, or any multiple. Go ahead, click a highlighted link to find out more about this kindergarten, first, and second-grade math resource, available for purchase in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.
After creating these resources, I was busy pinning carrot-related ideas to my spring and Easter boards. While perusing these ideas, one, in particular, caught my eye.
Now, that’s an idea! Why not combine Stef at Non-Toy Gifts’ craft idea with my Rows of Carrots resource?
So, I kept following the trail of carrots… and started generating ideas for carrot gardens. This carrot garden idea is an engaging way to incorporate skill review with a seasonal craft.
Carrot Garden Ideas
- Spell short vowel and silent e words (K-1).
- Write 2, 3, and 4 letter high-frequency words (K-1).
- Write a sequence of numbers after or before a given one, two, or three-digit number (K-2).
- Record the equations for an addition/ subtraction or multiplication/ division fact family (1-3).
This is a less crafty version than the one you’ll find at Non-Toy Gifts.
This free resource includes the following pages to print:
- 8 pages of pictures (8 per page) for spelling phonetic words; 25 CVC words, 14 short vowel words with initial or final consonant blends/ digraphs, 20 silent e words
- 2 pages carrots with writing lines (2 sizes)
- 2 pages carrots with equation writing frames; addition/ subtraction and multiplication/ division
Additional materials needed:
- one paper plate (I used decorative 8 3/4″ blue and green plates.)
- brown cardstock (1/2 of 8 1/2 x 11″ sheet)
- brown Easter grass (a 4-ounce bag should be plenty to make 12)
- scissors, glue, crayons (optional)
- 4 glue dots or stapler
- orange and/ or white paper or cardstock
Find all the directions to create these carrot gardens by clicking the highlighted link.
Once I got started, my ideas began growing wildly out of hand! What other ideas could you incorporate?
Carrot Counting
And last but not least, here is the original idea for this blog post!
One of my preschool granddaughters loves busy bag activities! And of course, I enjoy creating these for her. She counts concrete objects to ten and is ready for experiences with number recognition.
I love ten frames and know what a valuable visual tool they are for developing subitizing and a sense of ten. However, just as there is a place for ten frames, I believe we still need to provide a place for less structured counting activities, particularly for younger children.
This free flexible Carrot Counting resource provides the opportunity to experience counting, one-to-one correspondence, cardinality, numeral recognition, and numeral formation. It includes a rabbit mat, carrot counting cards (0-10), numeral formation cards (0-10), and carrot counters. I have included these in both color and black/ gray/ white. The numeral formation cards are only in color and less color.
While I included carrot counters to print, I strongly suggest using concrete objects with preschoolers. I adore my carrot erasers but any small counter will do. Try orange buttons, pom-poms, or gems.
You will need:
- paper or cardstock for printing selected pages of Carrot Counting
- laminator
- dry erase markers, playdough (optional)
- at least 10 counters (You need 55 counters to show quantities 0-10 all at one time.)
To prepare:
- Choose to print Carrot Counting in color or black/ gray/ white.
- Print at least one rabbit mat for each child. You can use one mat and clear it after showing each quantity or use multiple mats, one for each number.
- Print the carrot counting and numeral formation cards. Laminate and cut, trimming around the background.
- If needed, print the carrot counters. Laminate and cut.
To use:
Carrot Counting can be used in several ways.
- Use a rabbit mat with a carrot counting card. Count the carrots. Count a corresponding number of counters to place on the rabbit mat.
- Simply match the carrot counting cards with the numeral formation cards. The numbers have green, yellow, and red dots along with arrows to guide correct formation. They are perfect for finger tracing, using dry erase markers, or play dough ropes. Naming the numeral while engaged in forming it helps to develop recognition.
- Match the carrot counting cards with the numeral formation cards. Count a corresponding number of counters to place on the rabbit mat.
Surely, you have discovered an appealing carrot themed activity!
Looking for more spring or Easter math and literacy resources? Click on a highlighted link to see additional ones available in my TpT store.
Beau travail.