Grade: Elementary
Subject: Mathematics

#1463. Kindergarten Math Center Activities

Mathematics, level: Elementary
Posted Thu Dec 30 12:11:35 PST 1999 by Elaine Magud ().
Joshua Cowell School, Manteca, Ca. USA
Materials Required: Varied
Activity Time: Varied
Concepts Taught: Varied

Math Center Activities:
1. Cut out small objects on Ellison using fun foam - or use erasers from Oriental etc. Include a laminated strip of paper about 3 inches in width and an egg carton. Students make patterns or sort the objects.
2. Write numbers on stickers (round price stickers for garage sales work well) and glue into the bottom of egg cartons. Place a bag with small objects with the carton. Students can read number and count that many objects into egg cups.
3. Playdough, Mat, spinner. Write target numbers on spinner - many great spinners in most math books. Student spins a number: eg student spins 3 - student makes three balls out of the playdough and then creates a number 3 with it. You may include a large template for making the number.
4. Pocket charting: include a variety of number cards for students to sequence in the pocket chart. Remember to include a number line for self checking.
5. Macaroni patterns: strips of paper, glue, colored macaroni. Students create patterns. to make this more difficult - have students create half the pattern and then exchange with partner- each must finish the others pattern.
6. Wipe off number cards for number writing practice. Use dry erase pens.
7. Number writing station: include individual chalk boards, number cards or strips, paper, dry erase boards.
8. Magnetic numbers for sequencing on magnetic board.
9. Felt letters and objects for felt board: student can sequence numbers, match objects and numbers; eg. number two and two felt ducks, or sort objects.
10. Spin and count game: use a large plastic container like a dream whip container. Inside place small objects for counting. On the top you can write numbers with a permanent marker. The spinner is a brad and large safety pin. Include a small portion cup. Student spins and lands on 8: then counts 8 objects into portion cup. You can make several of these to match targeted numbers.
11. Read and count- index cards, small containers ( clear plastic cups are great), small objects to count.
On one side of the index card write a number. On the other side of the card place stickers in the same amount). Write the number on a small container. Student shuffles cards and then picks one. Student reads the number ( or counts stickers) then finds container with the same number. Student then counts the same amount of objects into the cup. ( you can make this activity match any theme).
12. Spinner with 3 numbers and a programmed sheet with the 3 numbers at the top. Student spins and then writes the correct number underneath it's heading. Students can work with partners. This is a lesson in probability and number recognition. The object is to see which number comes up the most.
13. Number books: have students complete each page with the number of objects designated for the book. Math their way has great ideas for these books: eg. we start with the number 5. Each book has a unifix cube pattern - student makes a pattern with 5 cubes and records on page,. Toss 2 sided beans (5) and record how many white or red beans you have ( fact families). Stamp 5 stamps. Stick 5 stickers. Make a pattern with 5 paper pattern blocks. Make a design with 5 toothpicks. You can add as many pages as you with. I also include some number writing pages.
14. Sand box and number cards. Students draw the number in the sand. You can also use hair gel and pudding in two plastic bags - one enclosed inside another.