How to Play:
- Line up caterpillar number line cards (for this example, we'll use numbers 1-5) on a table or the floor.
- Place a counter on top of each number.
- Students take turns rolling a dice. The goal is to remove the counters in backward order—from 5 to 1.
- Players must roll a 5 first, then a 4, and so on. If they roll a 3 but still have counters on 4 or 5, their turn ends, and the next player rolls.
- The game continues until all counters are removed, with students working together to count backward and match the numbers they roll.
This game is ideal for early learners and can be easily adjusted for different ability levels by expanding the range of numbers. The Caterpillar Number Line Cards in the Math Kit go all the way up to 120, making it adaptable as students progress throughout the year.
No Math Kit? No Problem!
If you don’t have the Math Kit yet, you can still try this game. Simply write the numbers 1-5 (or any range) on a whiteboard and have students erase the numbers as they appear on the dice—working backward, just like with the caterpillar cards.This warm-up activity is a great way to start your math block, helping students build confidence with numbers while having fun!
Ready for Endless Math Fun?
The Caterpillar Countdown is just one of the many games you can play with cards from the Math Kit Bundle. With resources for counting, addition, place value, and more, the Math Kit is designed to make math lessons interactive and engaging. Whether you're teaching small groups or whole class lessons, the Math Kit provides endless opportunities for learning in the early years classroom.
Explore the Math Kit Bundle and let the fun in math begin!