You can implement phonics instruction in several ways. Your choices include synthetic, analytic, and analogy-based approaches.

I used one or more of these instructional approaches at all times throughout my teaching career. Most children will benefit from consistent instruction using any of these. Some children will learn more easily with one approach over another. However, the trick can be figuring out which approach or which blend of approaches works best for each child!

In other words, different approaches lead to different options for meeting the needs of different children.

What is Analogy-Based Phonics?

In analogy-based phonics, generally, students

• learn keywords with spelling patterns (aka rimes or phonograms)
• use parts of words they already know to decode words they don’t know.
• apply this strategy when new words share similar parts in their spellings.

For example, students will recognize they can use the spelling pattern -at in the known word “cat” to help them read the new word “sat”.

How Is This Different From Other Approaches?

Synthetic Phonics

• Students are taught letter/ sound correspondences and how to blend individual sounds to form words.
• Orton-Gillingham-based programs are an example of a synthetic phonics approach.
• Keywords/ pictures are often used to represent letter-sound relationships.

For instance, students will blend the individual sounds /s/ /a/ /t/ to read the word sat.

Analytic Phonics

• Students analyze the letter-sound relationships in known words.
• Word study is a prime example of this approach.

To illustrate, students are led to recognize that words with the VC pattern (i.e. man) tend to have a short vowel sound while words with the VCe pattern (i.e. mane) are likely to have a long vowel sound. Then, they sort a set of words based on those vowel patterns.

Hmmm… Analogy-Based Phonics Sounds Like Word Families to Me

You’re right!

Both approaches are based on common spelling patterns (also called rimes or phonograms) in words.

So how are they different?

Word Families

• Teaching word families tends to be an exercise in following patterns.
• Typically, just the pattern being taught today or this week is the one emphasized.
• With word families, the focus tends to be on one-syllable words.

Analogy-Based Phonics

• Teaching key words should be an integral part of this approach.
• You teach students to discriminate between patterns. Cumulative application should be built-in.
• You can easily apply this approach to reading multi-syllabic words.

Let’s use the word “happen” as an example.

• “I see the spelling patterns -ap and -en.
• I know (my key word) map so I can read hap.
• I know (my key word) ten so I can read pen.
• I know map and ten so I can read happen.”

Reasons Why You Should Try Analogy-Based Phonics

Here are some of the reasons why you need to add this approach to your repertoire!

• You can teach analogy-based phonics in an explicit and systematic way.
• It is easier to blend onsets and rimes, /m/ /at/, than individual phonemes /m/ /a/ /t/.
• You can teach individual phonemes/ graphemes right alongside rhymes/ rimes.
• It teaches predictable, reliable, and decodable spelling patterns. Vowel sounds are generally more stable within specific rimes.
• Students can apply this strategy to decoding multi-syllabic words and with any level of text.
• With teacher modeling and sufficient opportunities, students will transfer and generalize this strategy to reading new words with the same and similar spelling patterns.

Ways to Get Started

On Your Own

If you’re interested in developing your own lessons, this Teaching Analogy Phonics resource (Marn Frank / ATLAS) may be helpful.

Stay Tuned

Look for my next blog post. I’ll provide details on ways to implement an analogy-based approach.

In addition, I’ll highlight my new line of Analogy Based Decoding products available to purchase in my TpT store.

Grab a Free Resource

Here’s a freebie (also included in my new line of products) to help your students apply this strategy to reading new words!

Guide your students through these step-by-step strategy charts and bookmarks to help them apply and transfer their decoding by analogy skills.

Use the easy to prepare strategy charts during whole class or small group instruction.

Choose color or black/ gray/ white. Then, print and go! Use cardstock and laminate for durability. Post the charts in your teaching area(s).

Let your students use the bookmarks for at-home and independent reading.

Click on the highlighted words to download your free copy of the Strategy Charts and Bookmarks for Analogy-Based Decoding.

Check out this blog post, Who Wouldn’t Love to Download A Free Pizza Activity, for another freebie.

Give your students the opportunity to decode CVC words with the -at, -ip, and -ug spelling patterns and have a bit of fun at the same time.

This activity is compatible with synthetic, analytic, or analogy-based phonics instruction.

Looking For More Phonics Resources

First, take some time to explore my blog posts about phonics. I started to list them here until I realized just how many there were!

Then, go ahead and browse the Phonics category of my TpT store.

What else would you like to know about analogy-based phonics? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

The post Everything You Need to Know About Analogy-Based Phonics appeared first on Just Ask Judy.

If you need a reason to enjoy eating one (or two), celebrate National S’mores Day on August 10th!

Keep reading to find out s’more about two teaching resources available in my TpT store and a freebie you can download.

Get S’more Practice With 2-Digit Numbers

Do your first or second-grade students need s’more practice with two-digit numbers? Then, this enticing small group math activity, designed for practicing and reviewing 2-digit number skills is just what you need!

With this flexible resource, you can choose the skills that best match your students’ instructional needs. You’ll also have a choice of color or black/ white and one-sided or two-sided activity cards.

You’ll find 6 printable activity mats. Each mat has 10 two-digit numbers. There are a total of 24 different numbers.

There are ten sets of 24 cards, including a set with just the numerals.

The skills covered are:

• the number after or 1 more than
• the number before or 1 less than
• 10 more than
• 10 less than
• number word
• expanded form
• how many tens and ones

Your students will:

• Take turns to pick a card.
• Read the card and determine the corresponding number.
• Cover or color the s’more with that number.

Who can color or cover all their numbers first?

Extend the use of the skill and number cards with the additional matching activities or the open-ended worksheets that are included with this resource.

Head on over to my TpT store to learn more about S’More Numbers 2-Digit Activity. Your students might also enjoy my Fin-tastic Numbers 3-Digit Activity.

Graphing and Data Collection Activity

Next up is an activity that will engage your first, second, and third-grade students in collecting and graphing data.

Your students will work with a partner to:

• Pick and replace the letters in the word s’mores in a paper lunch bag.
• Pick until all the letters have been drawn.
• Keep a tally of their results in a table.
• Use their collected data to complete a bar graph (2 versions, one requires students to label the graph).
• Interpret their results by answering questions.

Find this activity in It’s in the Bag for Summer or It’s in the Bag Year Round Bundle. Be sure to try out the free doughnut-themed version of this activity.

How to Make a S’more

What would a s’more-themed unit be without making (and eating) some?

But alas, this is just a sequencing and writing activity! Still, it would work well as a follow-up to making some!

Do spend some time discussing or experiencing how to make s’mores before having your first, second, or third-grade students write about it.

This activity is easy to prepare. Simply print each page.

You will need copies of both writing pages for each student plus one copy of the picture page for every two students.

Then, add crayons, scissors, glue, and pencils so you’ll be all set.

Your students will:

• Color the pictures (optional).
• Cut out the pictures (6).
• Sequence the pictures.
• Glue the pictures.
• Write a sentence about each picture.

I always tried to check my students’ work after sequencing but before gluing. Hmmm, I wonder why…

Interestingly, most of the clipart I looked at had the marshmallow under the chocolate while most of the recipes I perused had the chocolate under the marshmallow.

So there are many ways to make s’mores. The pictures I chose show roasting the marshmallow and adding the chocolate before the marshmallow.

Click on the highlighted words, How to Make a S’more, to download your free copy of this activity.

Looking For S’More Resources…

Check out these categories in my TpT store!

• Graphing Resources
• Number & Place Value Resources

These blog posts showcase a variety of free writing activities to download.

• Do You Want a New and Awesome Apple Resource?
• Who’s Ready to Ring in a New Year?
• Read to Inspire Kindness and Inclusion
• Back to School with Miss Mingo
• Why is That Scolding Hawk on My Balcony?

Find s’more freebies offered by others.

• Let’s Read Snack Bag Topper (Primary Playground)
• End of the Year Gift Tag (Elementary Adventure Store)
• Solar Science Experiment (Florida Online Academy)
• Open-Ended Game (TLC Talk Shop- Tamatha Cauckwell)
• Bookmarks (Let’s Learn S’more)

Don’t forget the recipes and crafts!

• S’more Treats (Hershey’s)
• Fireside S’mores (Betty Crocker)
• Popsicle Stick S’mores (Glued to My Crafts)

Share your favorite way to make s’mores in the comments below!

Photo in title image by Tiffany and David Photography.

The post You Need to Try These Activities for S’more Fun appeared first on Just Ask Judy.

If you’re thinking about…

• summer
• high-interest activities
• addressing learning loss
• or hands-on engagement

Then, I’ve got a plethora of ways to help meet your instructional needs that will grab your students’ attention.

Whether you need to develop conceptual understanding or focus on practice and review, I have a resource to address it.

Free Resources for Teaching 3 Digit Numbers

Get started by looking through these links for ideas and free resources.

One Free and Refreshing Place Value Activity (2 and 3 digit numbers)

Here’s a free activity to bolster your first, second, and third graders’ understanding of place value concepts. Help students make explicit connections between the standard, expanded, and word forms of two or three-digit numbers using a fun popsicle theme.

One Free Sensational Way to Compare Numbers

Try this free activity to teach, practice, or review comparing three-digit numbers at a concrete, representational, or abstract level. Use this sunglasses-themed resource year-round whenever your students are comparing numbers!

How to Teach 100 Less and More

Use this free animal camouflage-themed activity to target learning at the concrete, representational, and/ or abstract level. Direct your instruction to one level or overlap two levels. Make learning accessible for all your students!

How to Expand Your Kids’ Counting Skills

I created these free, easy-to-prepare Forest Animal Prompt Cards to implement as part of your classroom 3 digit number counting routines. You can use these with the whole class, in small groups, or in an independent math center. All you need is a few minutes here and there.

A New Product to Practice and Review 3 Digit Numbers

Keep going with my newest resource, Fin-tastic Numbers.

Do sharks fascinate your students? Go ahead and snag their interest with this small group math activity, designed for practicing and reviewing 3 digit number skills in second or third grade.

With this flexible resource, you can choose the skills that best match your students’ instructional needs. You’ll also have a choice of color or black/ white.

You’ll find 6 printable activity mats. Each mat has 10 three-digit numerals, with a total of 24 different ones.

There are ten sets of 24 cards, including a set with just the numerals.

The skills covered are:

• the number after and the number before
• 10 more and 10 less than
• 100 more and 100 less than
• number word
• expanded form
• how many hundreds, tens, and ones

Your students will:

• Take turns to pick a card.
• Read the card and determine the corresponding number.
• Cover or color the fin with that number.

Who can color or cover all their numbers first?

Extend the use of the skill and number cards with the additional matching activities or the open-ended worksheets that are included with this resource.

Click on the highlighted words to find out more about Fin-Tastic Numbers- A Shark-Themed 3 Digit Activity, available for purchase in my TpT store.

While you’re there, check out my Collect Them All Bundle of Task Cards for Second Grade Number Skills.

Free Worksheets for Practice and Review

Finish up with this new set of shark-themed free worksheets, perfect for practicing and reviewing 3 digit number skills.

This freebie includes 3 print and go worksheets.

1. Write the numbers that are 1, 10, and 100 more and less than the given number.
2. Round given numbers to the nearest 10 and nearest 100.
3. Complete a quick draw using squares, lines, and dots to represent the hundreds, tens, and ones in a given number. Then, write the number word and the expanded form of that number. (Two choices for writing lines.)

Download your free copy of Fin-tastic Number Worksheets by clicking on the highlighted words.

Did you find what you needed to teach 3 digit numbers? Let me know in the comments below!

Photo in title image by Ramon Carreterro.

The post How to Easily Sharpen Skills for 3 Digit Numbers appeared first on Just Ask Judy.

A Sale For the New Year

Check out this hashtag sale, #NY2025, on TPT to snag some fabulous dollar deals! What better way to get excited about teaching and learning in 2025?

The last time I checked, there were over 1,800 resources listed. But hurry because these deals are only available on December 31, 2024, and January 1, 2025.

With so many resources to choose from, you’ll want to use the categories at the top of your TPT screen to narrow down your search by grade level and subject area.

You’ll find two of my resources listed in this sale. My Addition Facts to 20 Addition Strategy Math Posters is a year-round seller. Roll and Read Consonant Blends and Digraphs is a newer resource that will give your kindergarten, first, and second-grade students the repeated practice they need to read 119 short vowel high-frequency words.

Check out these blog posts for more resources, ideas, and freebies related to addition facts, repeated reading, and consonant blends and digraphs. 

1. Addition Facts (site search for posts)
2. 6 Cool Penguin Resources to Energize Your Math 
3. Do You Want to Know All About Rapid Word Recognition Charts?
4. How to Address the Challenge of Consonant Digraphs

An Updated New Year’s Freebie for You

The year on this freebie has been changed to 2025.

I’ve never succeeded at making or keeping New Year’s resolutions. Have you? Here’s a free print-and-go resource that’s a little different.

The focus is on anticipating the possibilities a new year offers. I’m all for instilling a little hope for a better future right now.

Try this activity with children of various ages, at home or at school. The clipart and prompts are geared toward children, but the activity is suitable for all ages. The youngest can dictate their responses. You can also have children choose to respond to just 3 to 5 prompts or to complete them over more than one session.

Simply download, print, and provide writing tools.

Then, do a little brainstorming and you’re all set.

Use the first word as a prompt to complete the phrase in a way that’s meaningful for you. For example, my eight-year-old grandson might finish “See” with “The Grand Canyon”.

Here are a few of my possibilities for 2025.

• Make a quilt.
• Eat healthy.
• Be patient.
• Try to walk even farther.
• Learn more about teaching writing skills and decoding multisyllabic words.

Ah… the possibilities are wide-ranging!

Click the highlighted words to download your free copy of A New Year of Possibilities.

My hopes are for a healthy and forward-looking new year for everyone!

I’d love to hear from you! Pick a prompt and share how you would complete it in the comments below.

Photo in title image by Tigerpix LLC.

The post Who’s Ready to Ring in a New Year? appeared first on Just Ask Judy.

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.

No snow here! It was sunny and 70 degrees the other day!

No matter the weather, teaching and learning (however sporadic) must go on! If you are looking for resources to keep your kindergarten, first, second, and third-grade students engaged in learning high-frequency words this winter, these two fit the bill.

Why are these words so important? High-frequency words are the words found most frequently in written text. They include both phonetically regular and irregular words. Because they occur so commonly in any text, students need repeated exposure to recognize them instantly or by sight. Recognizing these words by sight lays the foundation for fluent reading.

Are you wondering about the difference between high-frequency and sight words? Find out the difference along with some teaching tips in this blog post by Dr. Deb.

Here are two activities, including a freebie, to help you provide that repeated exposure.

Stuck in the Snow Game

My students loved to play word games similar to this one! And who can resist these adorable animals stuck in the snow?

You can play it quickly with a timer set for as few as five minutes. Use it with your guided reading, resource, or intervention groups. Or try it as a literacy station.

This game includes 355 high-frequency word cards suitable for kindergarten, first, second, and third graders. There are 40 pre-primer. 52 primer, 41 first-grade, 46 second-grade, and 41 third-grade words from that famous list of 220.

I also included the 14 remaining words from the first hundred, 49 words from the second hundred, and 72 words from the third hundred most commonly used words.

Regardless of your specific list or reading program, these words should have you covered.

How to Prepare

Choose the color or black/ gray/ white word cards. Decide which word cards will meet your students’ instructional needs.

Print (on card stock for durability), laminate, and cut out the word cards. Sort the cards into stacks by kind of animal.

Print, laminate, and cut out a spinner. Use purchased spinner hands; a paper clip and a pencil; or a brad and a paper clip. You will also need a timer if you choose to set a time limit.

How to Play Stuck in the Snow Spin, Read, and Collect

Include the game cards for a little extra fun. Just follow the directions on each card.

Place the cards face up in the four stacks you have sorted by the kind of animal.

Take turns spinning the spinner, taking the top card in the corresponding stack, and reading the word. Collect or keep the cards you read.

The game ends when the timer goes off or the last card is chosen. Count your cards. Who has the most, least, or an equal number of cards?

Click the highlighted words to purchase Stuck in the Snow Spin, Read, and Collect in my TpT store.

Check out the free activity below for another way to give your students even more exposure to these words.

Stuck in the Snow Free Activity

Here’s a handy activity featuring those irresistible animals! Try it as part of your small group instruction or in a literacy center.

Use this free set of 36 primer level high-frequency word cards and mat to help your kindergarten and first-grade students practice spelling and reading these words.

How to Prepare

You will need one mat for each student working on this activity at the same time.

Print (use card stock for durability) and laminate the word cards and mat(s). Instead of laminating the mats, you can place them inside a dry erase pocket.

Cut out the word cards. Store the cards in a baggie or seasonal container.

Select letters for building the word. Your options include letter tiles, letter cubes, lacing letters, and magnetic, plastic, or wooden letters. Check to be sure the letters will fit in the middle space. Another option is to form the letters with play dough.

How to Use

First, pick a word card. Place it in the top box on the mat. Say the letters. Read the word.

Then, build the word with letters in the middle space. Say the letters and read the word.

Lastly, write the word with dry-erase markers or crayons in the bottom space. And yes, say the letters and read the word again!

For additional words, use any word cards you already have or from my Stuck in the Snow Game.

In general, you can build 5 to 7 letter words. With lowercase lacing letters, you can extend this to 9 to 10 letters.

Any of these Stuck in the Snow word cards could also be used with a seasonal sensory writing tray. Can you think of other ways to have your students practice with these word cards? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments below.

Download the free color or black/ gray/ white version of this Stuck in the Snow Activity from my TpT store.

Looking For More Resources?

I recently revised this open-ended flexible winter resource, Mittens on the Line, for sequencing numbers 0-120 in a variety of ways. Use it to provide individualized practice for your kindergarten, first, and second-grade math students.

It can be used for ordering sets of 5 or more consecutive or non-consecutive numbers and for counting by 2’s, 5’s, 10’s, or any multiple.

I added a second set of ready to use, easy prep black/ white mittens with a variety of sequences, mixed-up within each set of five numbers (consecutive numbers 0-10, 0-20, within a decade 21-120, across a decade 21-120; and non-consecutive numbers 0-10, 11-20, 0-20, within a decade 21-120, and 11-120). This set is perfect for a color, cut, and glue activity.

Click on the links below to find additional resources for high-frequency words or winter.

• How to Encourage Engagement With High-Frequency Words
• Engage in the Magic of Learning With Roll-a-Rainbow
• Warm-up With a Free Hot Cocoa Number Activity
• Winter Resources in My TpT Store
• High-Frequency Word Resources in My Tpt Store

Photo in the title image by so_lizaveta.

The post 2 Stuck in the Snow High-Frequency Word Activities appeared first on Just Ask Judy.

Use this math activity to provide practice with the standard, word, expanded, and place value number forms of two or three-digit numbers. Try it in your instructional and intervention groups or as an independent station. It’s an engaging way for partners or small groups of first, second, or early third-grade students to apply their knowledge of number forms.

Materials Needed For Batty About Number Forms

You will need:

• activity mats (one for each participant)
• counters (buttons, gems, erasers, etc.) or crayons
• activity cards (one set for each small group)

Get It Ready

Make the following choices:

• color (use counters) or black/ white (use crayons) activity mats
• two-digit or three-digit-numbers
• one-sided activity cards or two-sided cards with a color or black/ white back

Then, start printing. Use card stock and laminate the color activity mats and activity cards, if you’re planning to reuse them. Print the black/ white activity mats on paper. These can be consumed or used with dry erase pockets and markers/ crayons.

Cut out the activity cards. Shuffle them. If desired, place them in a decorative container.

Organize your materials. Put them together in zippered bags or a paper tray/ basket.

Get ‘Em Engaged With Number Forms

Get started by placing the shuffled activity cards face down in a stack or a messy pile. Or make it exciting by placing them in a decorative, seasonal container.

Sadly after scouring all my local stores, I couldn’t find anything suitable. I found directions for making bat cups on-line. The ones I made looked adorable but my photos with them didn’t! Try these by Frugal Mom Eh! or First Palette.

Take turns picking a card. Look at the word, expanded, or place value form on the card.

Find the corresponding standard form of the number on your mat. Color or cover the number. If the number is already marked, you lose your turn.

Create a discard pile. Shuffle and reuse the cards, as needed.

Who can be the first one to mark all of the numbers on the mat?

Click the highlighted words to download Batty About Number Forms.

Looking For More Resources…

Check out this blog post, One Free and Refreshing Place Value Activity. It highlights a free resource with built-in learning support designed to help students make explicit connections between the standard, expanded, and word forms of numbers.

Try my newly updated bat-themed roam the room resources to provide individualized practice with number forms and place value.

Batty Place Value reinforces representing two-digit numerals in different forms. It also provides practice with rounding and ten less/ ten more than a number.

Batty Base Ten emphasizes representing three-digit numerals in different forms. In addition, it gives opportunities for rounding to the nearest ten or hundred, determining ten less/ more and one hundred less/ more than a number.

And lastly, find facts about bats on KidZone and National Geographic Kids that will amaze your students!

What are your favorite bat-themed learning activities?

Bat photo in title image by Prickly Pair.

The post Are You Absolutely Batty About Number Forms? appeared first on Just Ask Judy.

If so, these crayon-themed resources were made for you! They are perfect for back-to-school, National Crayon Day (March 31st), or any day for that matter.

These resources are designed to provide practice and review with counting sequences on an abstract level. For background information or concrete and representational level activities for 1, 10, and 100 less and more, check out these blog posts.

• Expand Your Kids’ Counting Skills: Find background information (applicable for all primary grades) on teaching counting skills and using counting routines (interspersed in the post) along with a free set of counting within 1000 prompt cards.
• Develop Understanding of Ten Less Ten More: Discover a free explicit concrete activity using base ten blocks to develop an understanding of the concepts one less/ more and ten less/ more.
• Teach 10 and 100 Less and More: Free activities that target learning 10 less/ more and 100 less/ more for 3 digit numbers at the concrete, representational, and/ or abstract level.

1. Free Crayon-Themed Worksheets for Counting Sequences

First off, I have four sets of print and go worksheets to practice and review ordering numbers; 0-10, 11-20, 21-120, or 101-999. There are 3 or 4 worksheets for each set of numbers.

Skills Covered

• 0-10: numbers after, numbers before, numbers before and after
• 11-20: numbers after, numbers before, numbers before and after
• 21-120: numbers after, numbers before, numbers before and after, mixed number patterns
• 101-999: numbers after, numbers before, numbers before and after, mixed number patterns

The mixed patterns for 21-120 are counting by 2’s, 5’s, and 10’s (on and off a decade number). Those for 101-999 are counting by 5’s, 10’s (on and off a decade number), and 100’s (on and off a hundred).

Simply select your number range and skill. Then, print the number of copies you need.

Use these worksheets for small group instruction, morning work, seat work, or homework.

These worksheets are the perfect follow-up companions for two of my new resources, one for counting sequences 0-120, the other for 3 digit numbers.

Download your free worksheets by clicking the highlighted words, Crayons Galore.

2. Crayons in My Box- Ordering Numbers

These are open-ended flexible crayon-themed resources for sequencing numbers, 0-120 or 3 digit, in a variety of ways. Use them for individualized practice or review.

Create math centers with the color or black/ white crayons. Your students can simply place sets of crayons in order. They can also place them in order on the color or black/ white crayon box mats.

For both resources, I added a second set of ready to use, easy prep black/ white crayons with a variety of counting sequences. The numbers are mixed up within each set of five numbers. Use these for a color, cut, and glue activity. Perfect for a colorful display!

Ideas for Counting Sequences 0-120

• Consecutive numbers within a decade (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
• Consecutive numbers across a decade (58, 59, 60, 61, 62)
• Nonconsecutive numbers (18, 51, 55, 67, 84)
• Count by 2’s, 5’s, or 10’s, etc. (40, 45, 50, 55, 60)
• Count by 10’s off the decade (46, 56, 66, 76, 86)

Ideas for Counting Sequences for 3 Digit Numbers

• Consecutive numbers within a hundred (674, 675, 676, 677, 678)
• Consecutive numbers across a hundred (798, 799, 800, 801, 802)
• Nonconsecutive numbers (672, 737, 785, 806, 840)
• Count by 5’s or 10’s, etc. (390, 395, 400, 405, 410)
• Count by 100’s (400, 500, 600, 700, 800)
• Count by 100’s (138, 238, 338, 438, 538)

Visit my TpT store to see more details about Crayons in My Box, Ordering Numbers 0-120 and Crayons in My Box, Ordering 3 Digit Numbers!

Looking for similar resources with a different theme? Then, check out these additional products for ordering numbers.

Which counting sequences cause your students to struggle the most? Share by leaving a comment below.

Photo of crayons in title image by Snapshots and Smiles.

The post 2 Colorful Ways to Boost Counting Skills appeared first on Just Ask Judy.

While National Watermelon Day might be on August 3rd, you can use these watermelon activities to boost math skills any day. I created this set of free hands-on watermelon seed activities to help you teach number sense and place value without getting sticky!

There are activities for the quantities 1-10, 11-19, 11-99, and 100-999. These treasure reports represent a more structured approach than counting collections.  Both are valuable math routines.

You will need to provide small counters- black beans, black pony beads, or black buttons (1/2 inch or smaller if uniform in size) to represent the watermelon seeds. A bag of black beans will cost the least. I purchased a bag of 580 black pony beads for less than $5 and a bag of 130 mixed size (3/8, 1/2, and 5/8 inch) black buttons for around $2.

Your students can scoop the counters from a container with measuring spoons for quantities 1-99. The spoons should not be used as a level, accurate measuring tool, just as a way to create a collection to count. You can also prepare bags/ cups with selected quantities beforehand. I found 3 X 4-inch plastic bags that zip at a craft store. Condiment cups with lids will also work.

Please note, the counters that will fit with these activities are small. Be sure your students have the necessary fine motor skills.

Now go ahead and scroll down to the number range(s) that address your students’ instructional needs.

1) Watermelon Seed Treasure Reports for 1-10

Help your students to connect counting to cardinality and to represent a number of objects with a written numeral.

Just print one half-page recording sheet for each participating student and provide counters.

First, count the watermelon seeds. Then, write to record how many. Finally, draw the seeds on the watermelon slice.

2) Numbers 11-19

Introduce, practice, or review decomposing numbers from 11-19 into ten ones and some more ones with this activity. Have your students record the results by drawing the seeds and writing an equation.

Simply print one copy of the recording sheet with two watermelon slices for each participating student and provide counters.

Students count the watermelon seeds. Then, they put 10 seeds on one slice and the extra ones on the other slice. They record how many as 10 plus some more. And finally, they draw the seeds on the slices.

You might also like this One Less One More Watermelon Seeds resource for quantities 1-10 available for purchase in my TpT store.

3) Watermelon Seed Treasure Reports for 11-99

Bolster your students’ understanding of the relationship between the digits in a two-digit numeral and the number of tens and ones. Provide optional practice with expanded form, rounding to the nearest ten, and counting by tens off a decade number.

These treasure reports may be completed with the whole class (typically with partners) or a small group. After it has been introduced, it can also be an independent math station.

There are five different recording sheets. Choose the ones that best fit the instructional needs of your students. Print one for each student or pair of students. Provide counters.

In addition, you will need to provide a way for students to organize their groups of ten counters. Try ten frames, ten-rod mats, small cups, or small cupcake liners. Find free printable templates for ten frame and ten-rod mats in my TpT store. (Check out the free seasonal treasure reports while you’re there.) You can also use the watermelon slice organizer mats included in this free resource.

Read this blog post for a more thorough description of treasure reports with tens and ones.

Your students can draw circles or semi-circles (watermelon slices) to represent groups of ten. They write 10 on each. They can draw dots or watermelon seeds for the ones.

Follow-up with this Watermelon Tens and Ones place value resource.

4) Numbers 100-999

Help your students make the connection between the digits in a three-digit numeral and the number of hundreds, tens and ones. Give practice with number words and expanded form along with determining one, ten, and one hundred less than and more than a given number.

This activity is similar to the one for numbers 11-99. Use the watermelon slice organizing mats to hold 10 groups of 10 seeds. The counters can be put in small cups first with the cups then organized on the mat or placed directly on the watermelon slices.

Print one recording sheet for each student or pair/ group of students working together. Provide prepared counters in containers.

Students can draw rectangles and write 100 on each to represent groups of one hundred. They can draw circles or semi-circles (watermelon slices) to show groups of ten and write 10 on each. They’ll draw dots or watermelon seeds for the ones.

Try Watermelon Cuties Place Value Activity for Hundreds, Tens, and Ones as another way to engage your students.

Click the highlighted words, Watermelon Seed Treasure Reports, to download your copy of the four free activities. Enjoy!

Title photo image is by YuMyart.

The post 4 Free Watermelon Day Activities to Boost Math Skills appeared first on Just Ask Judy.

Try this activity with your kindergarten, first, second or third-grade students. Use the four levels to reinforce ways to represent numbers, along with number sense and place value skills. Take advantage of the different levels to individualize instruction and reach all your students.

Hot Cocoa Numbers

Hot cocoa numbers is an open-ended color, cut, and paste activity. The pieces are over-sized to allow space to complete some of the math tasks.

Get Started

First, choose the number range(s) most appropriate for your students.

The Four Number Ranges

1. 1-10: number word, tally marks, dice, quantity, pennies, one more, and one less
2. 11-20: number word, tally marks, double ten frames, one more, one less, ten and _more, 10 + _ = _, and tens and ones
3. 11-99: number word, one more, one less, ten more, ten less, tens and ones, expanded form, round to the nearest ten
4. 100-999: number word, ten more, ten less, one hundred more, one hundred less, hundreds, tens, and ones, expanded form, round to the nearest hundred

Next, decide how you will construct the craft. Choose paper or card stock. Print the mug on white paper and color it with crayons. Or print it on colored paper. Leave the mug sheet intact or cut out the mug.

Cut around the dark outline of the marshmallows, spoon, and cinnamon stick. Or to make cutting easier, cut on the dotted lines. The first way will look more attractive.

Glue the pieces onto the cut-out mug, the intact mug sheet, or a 12 x 12″ piece of construction paper or card stock.

Finally, determine how to give your students a number. Let your students pick a number or assign one. Here are some ideas.

Assign the same number to everyone, verbally assign individual numbers, or write a number on each printed mug. Give your students a range of numbers to mentally choose from. Put numbers in a bag to draw. Use any number cards or flashcards you already have or write numbers on slips of paper.

Get Prepared

Once you have decided everything, simply print the corresponding two pages. Provide crayons, scissors, and glue along with 12 x 12″ paper, if needed.

If your students are completing this activity independently, you may want to make a sample to assist with “reading” the directions for each math task.

Put it Together

To begin, write your number on the mug. Complete all the math tasks on the mug and the separate pieces.

Then, color the mug (optional), spoon, and cinnamon stick. See if you can convince your kids that the marshmallows can remain white!

Next, cut out the mug (optional) and the separate pieces.

To complete the craft, arrange the mug along with the marshmallows, spoon, and cinnamon stick. Glue.

Don’t forget to display your hot cocoa numbers!

Looking For More Resources?

Check out the newest place value addition to my TpT store, Marshmallow Pals- Hundreds, Tens, and Ones, a perfect companion for the hot cocoa numbers activity.

It is a small group winter themed roam the room activity for second and third graders that reinforces representing three-digit numerals in different forms; base ten, standard form, expanded form, and number word. It also provides practice with rounding to the nearest ten or hundred, ten less/ more than a number, and one hundred less/ more than a number.

Be sure to click on the Winter, Numbers & Number Sense, and Numbers & Place Value links to find more resources in my store to enhance your instruction.

Read more blog posts (and discover more freebies!) about number sense and place value.

Download your free copy of Hot Cocoa Numbers from my Teachers Pay Teachers store by clicking on the highlighted words.

And yes, after whipping up a cup of hot cocoa and smelling it while I took photos, I enjoyed sipping it while cozying up with a good book!

Title image photo is by Natalia Mamysheva.

The post Warm up with a Free Hot Cocoa Number Activity appeared first on Just Ask Judy.