A Fun, Hands-On Math Game to Explore Numbers and Sorting! 🎃
Looking for an engaging way to deepen number sense and explore sorting skills with your students? Try the Pumpkin Grid Game, perfect for fall math centers or small group instruction! This game encourages numeral identification, counting, and positional awareness while introducing sorting and categorizing concepts.
How to Play:
Set Up- Each student gets a plain pumpkin chart (no numbers).
- Place the numbered pumpkin chart in the middle of the play area.
- Provide a container of buttons or other small counters—use interesting and colorful buttons for extra fun!
Game Instructions
- Call out a number, e.g., "27," without identifying its position on the chart.
- Students locate the number on the central numbered chart if needed, then place a button ('seed') in the corresponding position on their plain chart.
Learning Focus
- Encourage students to become familiar with number positions on the grid.
- Use opportunities to discuss rows, columns, and numbers in relation to familiar benchmarks like 1, 10, and 100.
- Integrate counting strategies:10 more, 10 less 1 more, 1 less, Counting by 10s or 1s
Bonus Activity: Sorting and Categorizing
At the end of the game, students can sort their buttons by categories they choose, such as color, shape, or material.
- Have them organize the buttons into rows to reflect their sorting choices—this adds a playful exploration of patterns and classification!
Quick Play :
- Materials: Plain pumpkin chart (per student), numbered pumpkin chart (1 for group), buttons or small counters.
- Objective: Match called numbers to the correct position on the plain chart.
- Setup: Distribute charts and counters; place the numbered chart in the middle.
- Play: Call a number, students find its position on the numbered chart, then place a button in the matching spot on their chart.
- Extend: Finish by sorting buttons into rows based on categories like color or shape.
100 Chart Puzzle Bundle
For even more fun and flexible math practice throughout the year, check out the Year Long 100 Chart Puzzle Bundle! With 12 themed puzzles included, this bundle covers every month, ensuring your students stay engaged while reinforcing essential math concepts like counting, number order, and positional awareness. Whether it’s pumpkins for fall, snowflakes for winter, or flowers for spring, these puzzles are perfect for math centers, small group work, or fast-finisher activities all year long. Save time, stay organized, and enjoy hands-on math learning with this must-have bundle! 🌟
P.S I have a 120 Chart Puzzle Pack too!