Mathematics starts with counting and number sense. Teaching children to count involves not only learning the numbers one to ten but also helping children understand the meaning of numbers and how they work. Having this understanding creates a foundation for future mathematical learning. Playing number math games with your students is one excellent way to teach and reinforce counting and number sense skills. The Math Spinner Games for Numbers 1-10 bundle is a collection of 18 fun and engaging games and activities that will help develop your students’ number sense knowledge and provide plenty of opportunities for them to practice counting.
What is Number Sense?
Number sense is a group of skills that allow children to work with numbers with understanding. This involves several concepts:
- Counting: Students learn to count objects and develop an understanding of one-to-one correspondence. This involves learning number names, written numerals, recognizing how many in sets of objects, and connecting number words and numerals to the quantities they represent.
- Number Relations and Ordering: Students learn how a number relates to another number. This involves concepts such as more and less, and larger and smaller, as well as making number comparisons.
Children need time and practice to develop number sense. Playing math games is one great way for children to deepen their understanding of math concepts and develop number sense.
The Math Spinner Games for Numbers 1-10 Bundle includes 18 counting math games and activities that can be used for teaching counting 1-10 and developing number sense. These include:
- Numbers 1-5
- Number Sets
- Trace a Number 1-5
- Number Line Game 1-5
- Number Race 1-5
- Five Frames Game 1
- Five Frames Game 2
- Gumball Review
- Trace a Number 1-10
- Race to the Top 1-10
- Counting Fingers 1-10
- Numbers 1-10
- Ten Frames
- Tally Marks
- Number Words
- Cookie Mixed Review
- Counting On
- Counting Backwards
The games can be used for individual students, partner work, or small math groups. Three versions are provided so that you can decide how you want to use the games in your classroom.
In part 1 of this series, an overview of the Counting 1-5 Spinner Games will be provided. Part 2 of the Math Spinner Games for Numbers 1-10 post shows the counting to 10 games in action.
Numbers 1-5 Spinner Games
Subitizing means to be able to instantly see ‘how many’. The ability to be able to recognize numbers in patterns is the foundation for developing strong number sense. The first game in the Spinner Games bundle is a game that focuses on subitizing for the numbers 1-5.
In the single-player game, a student spins a number on the spinner and covers the matching number of dots on an apple. The game ends when all apples are covered.
Both colored and blackline versions are included. The colored game mat can be laminated and used in math centers. The blackline version can be used as a worksheet in which students color the matching apple.
In the two-player game, students take turns spinning a number on the spinner and covering the matching apple. The first students to cover all their apples wins the game.
As with the single-player version, the Numbers 1-5 spinner game comes in both color and blackline versions.
The Numbers 1-5 spinner game is also provided in a small math group version. Four students can play this game. Students take turns spinning a number on the spinner. The first students to cover all their apples wins the game.
Number Sets Spinner Game
When students connect counting to cardinality, they understand that the last number which was counted when counting a set of objects is the total number of items in that group. In the Number Sets spinner game, students spin a number on the spinner and, using the color code, cover the matching set on the game board.
The game ends when all the sets have been covered. A blackline version of this game is also included in the bundle.
The Number Sets spinner game can also be played in pairs. First student to cover their side of the game board wins the game. A blackline version is also included in the bundle.
Small math groups can also play the Spin to Win Number Sets game. Included are four game mats along with a standalone spinner. First student to cover all number sets on their game board wins the game.
Trace a Number Spinner Game
Number sense includes knowing how to write and represent numbers in different ways. The Trace a Number spinner activity is a fun way for your students to practice writing the numerals for numbers 1-5. Students spin a number and trace the matching numeral.
Both a colored and blackline version is included. Laminate the colored game mat and use it with a dry erase board marker. The blackline version can be used as a worksheet. Pair it with a pencil and paper clip and your students are ready to practice writing their numerals.
5 Frames Spinner Game
Five frames used as a scaffold help students to visually see how numbers work together and help build number sense skills. Students will begin to gain a sense of the base ten system, start to decompose numbers, and build a foundation for place value and mental calculations.
In the 5 Frames spinner game, students spin a 5 frame on the spinner and cover the matching numeral.
Both color and blackline versions of the game are provided in the bundle. Laminate the colored game mat to use in your math centers. Use the blackline version as a worksheet. Students can cover or color the numerals on the game mat.
In the two-player version of the 5 Frames spinner game, the first student to cover all the numbers on their side of the game mat wins the game. A blackline version is also included in the bundle.
Small math groups can also play the 5 Frames spinner game. Included are four game mats along with a standalone spinner. The first student to cover all numbers on their game board wins the game.
Number Race Spinner Game
For more practice in learning to recognize numerals and counting 1-5, students can play The Number Race spinner game. One version of the game has students matching numerals. In the second version of the game, students match fingers to numerals.
Students spin a number or a number of fingers and race to see which numeral can get to the top first.
Included in the Counting 1-10 Spinner Games Bundle are colored and blackline versions of this activity. In the blackline version, students trace the numbers. This provides them with more practice in writing numerals.
More 5 Frames Spinner Games
In this version of the More 5 Frames spinner game, students spin a number on the spinner and cover or color the matching 5 frame. As with the 5 Frames spinner game, this activity will help your students develop a sense of ten, start to decompose numbers, and build a foundation for place value and mental calculations.
The game ends when all the 5 frames have been covered.
Both a colored and blackline version of this game is included in the Spin to Win Counting 1-10 bundle.
In the two-player version of the More 5 Frames spinner game, students race to spin and cover all their 5 frames.
First player to cover all the 5 frames on their board wins the game.
Both a colored and blackline version of the game is included in the bundle.
The More 5 Frames spinner game can also be used with your small math groups. Four game mats are included along with a standalone number spinner.
Mixed Review for Numbers 1-5 Spinner Game
The Gumball Review spinner game is another activity that will aid in your students developing subitizing skills. Different representations of numbers 1 to 5 are contained on the gumballs. Students spin a number on the spinner and cover the matching number representation.
The game ends when the student covers all the gumballs.
Both colored and blackline versions are included in the bundle.
The Gumball Review spinner game also comes in a two-player format.
First student to cover all the gumballs on their game mat wins the game.
As with the previous games, both a colored and blackline version of the game is included the bundle.
There is also a version of the game for your small math groups with 4 game mats and a standalone spinner.
Lots more activities are included in the Counting 1-10 Spinner Games Bundle. Games covering numbers from 1 to 10 are covered in the Math Spinner Games for Numbers 1-10 Part 2 post.
Don’t forget to check out the CVC Spinner Games Bundle.
