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This post has been co-written with Ben Wolfson, a full-time educator and assistant principal in the USA.
Most students enter kindergarten able to count from 1 to 10 in order almost like knowing the lyrics to a favorite song. However, the next big skill is to understand what these numbers represent and how they compare to each other. These scarecrow theme count and compare cards will be an instant hit in your classroom as students learn and develop a new skill.
Counting and Comparing Numbers
Introducing young students to the concept that each number has a specific meaning and that they all represent different sizes is a skill that underpins the whole of the mathematical world. You have to start by counting and comparing groups of physical items so that students can visualize the difference in size and quantity before moving to the abstract concept of counting and comparing numbers. This is also the perfect time to introduce students to the concepts of greater than, lesser than and equal to as they learn to construct simplistic equations.
How to Prepare Scarecrow Count and Compare
For this activity you will need:
Paper
Printer
Writing tools
Optional: laminator and dry erase markers
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For either the weighing scale or write the room scoot activities below, you should print each page full color and laminate them so that students can mark them up. For the sorting count and compare task or for use an as individual math station , you should print 4 to a page but still cut each one out so that each student has a pile of scarecrow theme cards to work with.
Your New Favorite Kindergarten Math Center
After you’ve introduced the concept of greater than, lesser than and equal to as your whole class, you can use these scarecrow theme cards as a kindergarten math center using some of these ideas:
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Use scales – a common misconception that students make with the = sign is to think it means “and the answer is”. As they’re learning about counting and comparing groups of objects, you should use a set of weighing scales to show that the = sign means both sides of the equation have the same value. Just make sure that all of your items are the same size and weight!
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Write the room – kindergarten students are known for their need to move, so instead of providing them with a select packet of these count and compare cards, you could print a whole set and pin them up around your learning space. Students would then go to each card and record the equation that they see on a piece of paper either independently or with a partner. Paired work allows you to have students collaborate and check each other’s answers, taking the pressure of grading and feedback off you as the teacher.
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Sort the cards – being able to differentiate between the < and > signs is one that kindergarten students need to master. To help develop this skill, start by printing the cards so that they fit 4 to a page, and ask students to first of all identify each set as being greater than, lesser than or equal to each other. Then have them sort the cards into three piles, one for each symbol. You can then lead interesting discussions about similarities and differences between the cards in each group.
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As an individual math center for Fall – provide a dry erase marker for your student to circle the correct answer on the cards directly.
Scarecrow Math Station
This game is also available as digital Boom Cards which can be used with Seesaw, Google Classroom and other distance learning platforms. Grab these Internet task cards here.
If you’re looking for more scarecrow activities, check out my pack of 10 Scarecrow Themed Literacy and Math Centers.
Other Fall Printables You’ll Love:
1) Fall Printable Worksheets Pack – 50-page pack for your little one to practice letter recognition, writing, counting, tracing, coloring and so much more.
2) Fall Leaves Number Sorting – Sort out the leaves and find which numbered tree they came from to practice number recognition, reading number words, and count with ten frames.
3) Fall Leaves Pick and Cover Letters – Pick a letter card then find and cover it on the playing mat.
4) Count and Compare Acorns – Your child will count and compare the groups of acorns to help the squirrel chose the bigger one.
5) Acorn Tracing Lines – Practice fine motor skills with these 4 different acorn-themed worksheets to help the squirrel grab the acorn!
6) Scarecrow Sums to 10 – So quick to set up in just a few minutes, you can sit back and relax while your preschooler or kindergartener has fun learning to solve simple sums to 10.
7) Scarecrow Number Tracing Strips – Combine fine motor practice with early math skills in this scarecrow-themed game to practice writing numbers 1 to 10.
8) Scarecrow Arrange By Size – Develop early math skills with these 3 scarecrow-themed image sets to arrange from smallest to biggest.
Educational Tools For Your Classroom:
Browse My Most Popular Math Printables:
1) Parking Cars Tracing Lines – More than 10 different tracing line patterns to choose from, all of which help with pencil control.
2) Scarecrow Arrange By Size – 3 different scarecrow-themed image sets that they will arrange from smallest to biggest.
3) Bumblebee Addition Game – Solve the sum and help the bee land on the correct flower!
4) Farm Shapes Mats – Use playdough, pompoms, stickers etc to learn 2D shapes.
5) Popsicle Stick Number Formation – Kids will love forming the numbers 1 to 10 when ice cream and popsicles are involved!
6) Valentines Printable Worksheets Pack – 50 pages of mixed literacy and math activities.
7) Zoo Animals Number Puzzle Strips – Complete these cute puzzles and learn the numbers 1 to 20.
8) Counting Colorful Bugs – This printable book will help kids count to 10 while also learning about color words.
9) Humpty Dumpty Numbers – In this printable game, your students will practice number recognition using 1 dice or simple addition when using 2 dice.
10) Build A Number Santa – Match the number to the correct number word, tally mark and domino to form a Santa Claus
