To help you with that December challenge, I have two new number activities featuring stockings (including a freebie) to share with you.

Stockings in Order 0-120

Are you looking for an engaging activity for sequencing the numbers 0 – 120? This Christmas-themed resource will give your students plenty of practice with ordering consecutive and non-consecutive numbers and with counting by 2’s, 5’s, and 10’s to 120.

Use this whimsical resource for Google Slides^TM to provide individualized practice or review for your kindergarten, first, and second-grade students. Try it as a math center or as a virtual assignment.

Those rascals, Cat and Dog have mixed up all the stockings. Your students will need to drag and drop to reorder them.

Cat and Dog also forgot to finish the count by sequences. Your students will need to be able to click on a question mark in a text box, delete the question mark (but not the text box), and type in a number.

Your students will practice ordering:

• Consecutive Numbers 0-10
• Non-Consecutive Numbers 0-10
• Consecutive Numbers 7-20
• Non-Consecutive Numbers 11-20
• Non-Consecutive Numbers 0-20
• Consecutive Numbers Within a Decade 21-120
• Consecutive Numbers Across a Decade 11-120
• Non-Consecutive Numbers Within a Decade 21-120
• Non-Consecutive Numbers 21-120
• Count By 10’s to 120
• 5’s to 120
• 2’s to 20
• 2’s to 120
• Count by 10’s Off the Decade

Choose one set for all your students or choose different sets for individual students. Use as a one-time assignment or multiple assignments across time.

You can delete, copy, and rearrange the slides to meet your needs.

Skip on over to my TpT store to take a closer look at Stockings in Order 0-120.

Not sure if your students can drag and drop or delete and type? Check out these Try It Before You Buy It slides. Be sure they are the right choice for you, your learning platform, your students, and their devices!

I also offer a similar print resource, Christmas Lights in Order 0-120, which is very popular this time of year.

Hang the Stockings- Comparing Two or Three-Digit Numbers

You’ll love this free and easy to prepare greater than and less than Christmas math activity. Your first, second, and third-grade students will have fun while getting practice with comparing two or three-digit numbers against a benchmark number.

Choose two-digit or three-digit numbers.

Your students will need:

• one page with two fireplaces and one set of stockings
• crayons
• scissors
• glue
• optional construction paper (9″ x 12″ or 6″ x 18″)

Your students will:

• Color the fireplaces.
• Cut the page in half on the dotted line.
• Glue the fireplaces onto construction paper (optional).
• Color the stockings.
• Cut them out.
• Sort them by numbers less than or greater than 55 or 550.
• Hang the stockings on the correct fireplace.
• Glue them in place.

You will:

• Sit back and relax with your favorite hot beverage.
• Enjoy the quiet calm for a few moments.
• Use your students’ creations for an attractive holiday display!

To make it easier, I recommend students loosely cut around the stockings or cut them as rectangles.

Students may also glue the fireplaces in a notebook or simply keep the fireplace page intact.

Visit my TpT store to download your free copy of Hang the Stockings Comparing Numbers.

Curious About the Origins of Stockings…

I discovered this article, The Legend of the Christmas Stocking, in the Smithsonian Magazine. It’s an interesting read if you’re not familiar with the legend.

Looking For More Resources…

Check out these blog posts for more free number activities, perfect for the season.

• How to Easily Stuff a Little Learning into December (preschool and kindergarten numeral recognition)
• One Way to Keep ‘Em Busy This Holiday Season (rounding two and three-digit numbers)

Click on the categories below to see more resources in my TpT store.

• Christmas
• Numbers & Number Sense
• Numbers & Place Value
• For Use With Google Slides^TM

I’d love to hear about the kinds of activities you find are best to engage your wiggly, distracted students this time of year! Please share in the comments below.

Photos in images by Coffee Beans and Children’s Dreams and LiliGraphie.

The post How to Put a Little Festive Learning in Their Stockings appeared first on Just Ask Judy.

National Gingerbread Cookie Day is celebrated on November 21st. Now that’s a delicious way to herald the beginning of the holiday season.

Here’s a free gingerbread house math activity to help your first and second-graders practice or review the doubles or doubles plus one basic addition facts. It’s the perfect holiday partner or small group activity!

Choices to Make

To get started, make the following choices.

• doubles or doubles plus one
• color or black/ white
• counters or crayons
• 10-sided dice or number cards
• 0-9 or 1-10 number range

Materials Needed for Gingerbread Cover-Up

Gather or prepare these materials.

• one mat for each participating student
• one 10-sided die or set of number cards for each pair or small group of students
• 10 small counters or crayons for each participating student
• a recording sheet, a sheet of paper, or dry erase board for each participating student

For the easiest preparation, use ten-sided dice. These are available with either the numerals 0-9 or 1-10. I created mats for both sets of numerals so you can use what you have. If you happen to have both on hand like me, decide if you’d rather your students practice 0 + 0 or 10 + 10.

If you don’t have ten-sided dice, either use playing cards or make the gingerbread men number cards.

Get it Prepared

Print your mats. Use card stock for durability and to reuse. Laminate the mats or use them with dry-erase pockets. Use 1/2 to 5/8″ counters such as buttons, gems, mini-erasers, or even holiday M & M’s.

The black/ white mats can also be printed on paper to color and consume.

Print the gingerbread man number cards, if using. Use card stock and laminate for durability. Either cut into rectangles or cut around the gingerbread men.

I suggest making one set of numbers for each student participating in a group. For example, make 2 sets for 2 students or 4 sets for 4.

For easier preparation, use selected numbers from a deck of playing cards. Reshuffle as needed while playing.

Make one copy of an optional recording sheet for each student. Feel free to use whiteboards or a sheet of paper, instead.

Get ‘Em Engaged With Gingerbread Cover-Up

Try this activity with partners or in a small group. It works equally well in an intervention group or as an independent math station. It won’t be as much fun, but a single student can complete the activity on their own.

Gingerbread Cover-Up Doubles Mat

Take turns rolling a die or picking a number card. Record your number. Then, write the doubles equation with that number. For instance, Number: 5, Doubles Equation: 5 + 5 = 10. Cover up or color the sum (10) on your mat.

Doubles Plus One Mat

Take turns rolling a die or picking a number card. Record your number. Next, write the doubles equation with your number. Then, write the doubles plus one equation. Here’s an example: Number: 4, Doubles Equation: 4 + 4 = 8, Doubles Plus One Equation: 4 + 5 = 9 or 5 + 4 = 9. Finally, cover up or color the sum (9) on your mat.

If you roll or pick the same number on a subsequent turn, say the equation(s) out loud. Then, make a tally mark in the last column.

Who can cover or color all their numbers? Who rolled the same number the greatest number of times?

Let me know if you’d enjoy having more of these addition activity mats along with any suggestions for themes.

Click the highlighted words to download this free resource, Gingerbread Cover-Up.

Looking For More Resources…

Check out these blog posts with ideas and resources for the addition and subtraction facts and Christmas.

Go ahead and visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store for even more addition and subtraction and Christmas resources.

For the Curious

And if like me, this post piqued your curiosity about gingerbread, click on the links below to discover fascinating facts!

• The History of Gingerbread (The History Kitchen, PBS Foods)
• A Brief History of Gingerbread (Smithsonian Magazine)
• Gingerbread Facts to Tell Your Kids (HubPages)

Photo in the title image by Oksana Shufrych.

The post How to Double the Fun With Gingerbread Addition appeared first on Just Ask Judy.

So, here are some stocking themed resources, including a freebie, to help you do just that in preschool and kindergarten.

December Stocking Number Cards

I crafted two sets of free Christmas stocking numeral cards, 1 to 10 and 11 to 20. These are perfect for reinforcing numeral recognition, number sense, and numeral formation. I made 4 recording sheets to accompany the cards.

Your students can fill in the ten frames 1-10, fill in double ten frames 11-20, draw tally marks, or trace the numerals 1-10. Enjoy these activities during small group instruction, as independent centers, or as morning work.

Get it Prepared

This is an easy to prepare activity. Choose your set of numeral cards; 1-10 or 11-20, color or black/ gray/ white. Print the cards on cardstock for durability, laminate, and cut. Pick a recording sheet to copy.

Get ’em Engaged

You can use these December stocking number cards in three different ways.

Simply use the cards with a recording sheet.

For the first option, choose a recording sheet. Provide small groups of students with the recording sheet and a set of numeral cards to share. Just pick a card and follow the directions on the recording sheet.

Play an In the Bag or In the Stocking game.

To play this game, you will need a seasonal bag or stocking. Depending on the size of the group, you may want to use two or three sets of cards. You can also combine the 1-10 and 11-20 cards, if appropriate for your learners. Include the Yum! Yum! A Treat! (take an extra turn) and the Oh, no! Coal! (lose a turn or put all your cards back in) cards for a little extra fun.

Decide if the game will have a time limit and if students need to name a numeral correctly the first time to keep it. Students can also trace and name the ones they miss.

Place the cards in your bag or stocking. Draw a card without peeking. Name the numeral. Collect or keep the ones you name correctly. The game is over when the timer goes off or the last card is drawn. Who has the most, least, or an equal number of cards?

Pair the cards with a writing tray to practice numeral formation.

Try dyed rice or salt in a writing tray. Or make it simple by adding red and green sprinkles or sequins to white rice. Just pick a card, name the numeral, and write it in the tray. While a seasonal unsharpened pencil or candy cane adds an engaging element, writing with your finger will provide sensory feedback.

Use your imagination! Let us know in the comments below how you used these stocking number cards.

Spin-a-Stocking, A Game for Letters and Beginning Sounds

Try this coordinating Christmas stocking themed game! It’s a great way to practice or review letter recognition and/or the association of initial consonant and short vowel sounds with letters during December in preschool or kindergarten.

Choose from any combination of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, and 2 sets of pictures representing beginning sounds to play. The pictures for the letter x are in the final position representing the /ks/ sound.

Sort your word cards by stocking color and design into 4 stacks. Take turns to spin, name the letter (or sound and letter), and collect the cards!

Click on the highlighted words, Spin-a-Stocking Letters and Sounds, to purchase this resource from my TpT store.

Count to Recognize Christmas Number Mats 0 to 10

Looking for more stocking themed resources? This set of easy to prepare Christmas themed full-page number mats, 0-10, for preschool and kindergarten math, includes ones with stockings.

They are designed to develop skills in counting, numeral recognition, and numeral formation. These are, intentionally, very basic mats. The 3 sets of mats have a numeral along with a corresponding number of items to count; stockings, ornaments on a wreath, and lights on a Christmas tree.

The numerals 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. Both counting the items and naming the numeral while engaged in forming it help to develop recognition.

You can purchase these Christmas Count to Recognize Number Mats 0-10 in my TpT store.

And don’t forget to download your free Christmas Stocking Number Card Activities!

Title stocking photo is by LiliGraphie. 

The post How to Easily Stuff a Little Learning into December appeared first on Just Ask Judy.

While I was browsing in the Target Dollar Spot for nothing, in particular, I spotted bags of rainbow candy cane mini erasers, 60 for one dollar. Wow, what a bargain! I can use those as counters for math. They would be perfect to use with counting grids. I wonder if I can find candy cane clip art in those same colors. Just think, they would be ideal for creating and extending patterns. Wait a minute, why not use actual candy canes to show patterns. Maybe I can find mini ones in the same colors. Oh and don’t forget, mini candy canes for counting cups. Hmmm… why not use them to show teen numbers as ten plus a number.

Photo by Yuliia Mazurkevych

From a bag of mini candy cane erasers to three math freebies for you!

Candy Cane Counting Grids

Counting grids are a great opportunity for preschoolers and kindergarteners to develop and practice subitizing and number recognition skills, along with one-to-one correspondence for counting objects. This easy to prepare partner activity uses dice (1-6) or spinners (1-3) for counting to 20 or 30. The focus can be counting to 3, counting to 6, counting to 20, or counting to 30. Use a die with pips or the spinner with candy canes for subitizing. Try a die or the spinner with numbers for number recognition.

You will need:

• two copies of a counting grid (color or black/ gray/ white, 20 or 30 spaces) for each pair of students (Use cardstock and laminate for durability.)
• one die (pips or numbers) or one spinner (candy canes or numbers) for each pair of students (Print spinners on cardstock, laminate, and cut. Use purchased spinner hands, a pencil and paperclip, or a brad and paperclip to spin.)
• 40 or 60 counters for each pair of students (Use any counter that fits in the space. Try mini-erasers, buttons, pompoms, or gems.)

To play:

• Spin the spinner or roll the die.
• Count and collect the corresponding number of counters.
• Place the counters on your grid starting with the first space.
• Take turns with your partner.
• After every turn or two, ask “How many do you have?” and “Who has the most/ fewest?” Simply omit this step with children who are not ready.
• The activity is over when one student has filled the grid.

These counting grids are included in the Candy Cane Counting freebie available for download in my TpT store.

Candy Cane Number Cards

Use this set of color only round number cards, 1-20, to create counting activities. Simply print, laminate, and cut. Glue dots are perfect to affix the number cards to red or festive treat cups, drinking cups, and plastic or paper plates. Provide a supply of appealing counters such as mini erasers, mini candy canes, round peppermint candies, pompoms, buttons, or candy cane ornaments made with pipe cleaners and pony beads. It’s as easy as that!

And yes, I would teach this as 10 and 5 more, not 5 and 10 more as pictured!

These free number cards are included in this Candy Cane Counting freebie.

Candy Cane Patterns

Who could possibly resist a lesson using colorful, fruity candy canes to teach or review patterns?

These candy cane pattern strips provide an engaging way for your kindergarten, first, or second-grade students to practice or review identifying and extending repeating color patterns. There are pattern strips for AB, AAB, ABB, ABC, AABC, ABBC, and ABCC repeating patterns. There are also strips for AB and ABC growing patterns. All given patterns include the core and then repeat or grow one time. The patterns can be recorded with crayons.

You will need:

• pattern strips (Use cardstock and laminate for durability. Cut into strips.)
• extension strips, tape (Directions are included in the download.)
• purchased mini erasers, buttons, or pompoms in matching colors or
• candy cane pattern cards (Print on cardstock, laminate, and cut.)
• adhesive Velcro squares or circles, optional for using the pattern cards
• recording sheets and crayons, optional

You choose the pattern strips that are most appropriate for your students. You may want multiple copies of the pattern strips and pattern cards, depending on the number of students using them at the same time.

More Ideas for Candy Cane Learning and Fun

• Candy Cane Hide & Seek Game from the Resourceful Mama
• Candy Cane Slime from Pre-K Pages
• Dissolving Candy Canes from Lemon Lime Adventures
• Candy Cane Sight Words from Crayons & Cuties in Kindergarten
• Candy Cane Symmetry from Fantastic Fun and Learning
• Candy Cane Fruit from the Diva Dish

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The post 3 Free and Easy Candy Cane Math Activities appeared first on Just Ask Judy.