How to Play the Leaf Hunt Math Game:
Set Up the Leaf Cards:
- Start by laying out leaf cards numbered 1-5, using standard dot patterns, on the table.
- Together with your students, identify each number and place them in forward counting order from 1 to 5.
Flip and Sort:
- Shuffle the remaining leaf cards (featuring dot patterns 1-5) and place them face down in the center.
- Students take turns flipping a card, identifying the number (encouraging instant identification when possible), and placing it in the correct pile under the corresponding number in the 1-5 row.
- Some students might count the dots by pointing to each one, while others will instantly recognize the number—either way, it’s great practice!
Finish with Sorted Piles:
- By the end of the game, you’ll have 5 neatly sorted piles of leaves, all organized by number.
- No winners, just lots of leaf fun and number exploration!
Extend the Fun with an Outdoor Leaf Hunt!
To make this activity even more engaging, start your math lesson with a real outdoor leaf hunt. Take your students on a nature walk to collect leaves, count them, and bring them back to the classroom. They can sort their leaves by size, color, or shape—helping to reinforce sorting, which is foundational for addition. Encourage students to use math language like "more than," "less than," and "equal to" as they describe their sorted leaves.To add a movement-based brain break to your day, I recommend We're Going on a Leaf Hunt by Steve Metzger. It’s a fantastic book that involves action and singing, similar to the beloved We're Going on a Bear Hunt. It’s the perfect way to bring energy and fun to your math lessons!
Check out the printable Leaf Dot Cards in my Math Kit for a ready-to-use resource that pairs perfectly with this game.
Happy counting! 🍁