Kindergarten students are expected to know how to compose and decompose numbers from 11-19 into ten ones and some further ones (the standard word for word.) This is probably one of the most difficult objectives for young learners to grasp. I will admit, it is also one of the most difficult subjects to teach in a way that these young minds can understand. I introduce this topic early in the year (in small doses), and then more thoroughly later in the year. I created this set of place value math centers to use while I teach kinders the basics of place value, including tens and ones. These activities are all hands-on, which helps with student engagement. 

We will build teen numbers using linking cubes. We will create a set of ten, and then additional ones to create the number.

We will use these counting mats to practice creating a number using a set of ten, and additional ones. We may use play-doh for these mats if time allows.

We will practice counting place value blocks, and matching them to given teen numbers. We will then re-build the number using linking cubes or place value blocks.

We will practice creating sets of numbers using teddy bear counters. We will discuss how each teen number is a set of ten, and some additional ones.

We will use these clip-it cards to practice counting base ten blocks. The kiddos will place a clip on the correct teen number that matches the base ten blocks.

We will play this game of Place Value Find and Cover. The students will play this game with a partner. It is very simple. The kids draw a place value card out of a basket, and then cover the number that they chose on the number mat with a teddy bear counter. Their partner will then do the same after the card is placed back into the basket. The first person to have all of the numbers covered is the winner.

We will practice recognizing and counting place value blocks by matching them with numbers on these place value mats.

We will practice counting pennies, and placing them in piles of tens and ones.

We will practice counting "apples" and placing them on the apple trees by tens and ones. We will then match place value cards to the trees.

We will use these linking chains to attach base ten blocks to numbers 10-19. The kids will attach a "ten and an additional number of ones" to each number card.

You can grab this set of place value math centers by clicking here!

 I hope your kids love them. You can also get them in black and white (so that you can print them at school) if you choose.

I am always looking for new literacy center ideas! I try to switch out the centers to match the time of year, season, holiday etc. (although this often does not happen....) I created this Build a Snowman literacy center to use during the month of January. It is very simple to use. The kiddos build a snowman by matching a cvc picture, with a cvc word. After making their match, they write the cvc word on the recording sheet. Simple as that! You can grab a copy for your classroom 

here.

I also created this set using long vowels for my accelerated kinders. 

Print one (or all) of the arctic animal cards. These cards work much better if you print on tagboard so that the pop up pieces stand up. You can choose from the arctic hare, snowy owl, beluga whale, harp seal, arctic fox, polar bear, and penguin (penguins don't live in the arctic---but the kids love them!)

Fold the card on the line down the middle after the kids have colored the card. 

Cut along the dotted lines. This will create two slits.

Glue the arctic animal on the pop-up as shown.

Students write (or read) about the animal on the card. I have created this set so that they can do both!

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Poetry is also a perfect way to build reading fluency in new readers. I have created these winter poems to do just that! Not only are they perfect for reading fluency, but they are filled with sight words so that the kids can learn their sight words in text. We read them, highlight them, chant them, and more!

I place a pocket chart version in our pocket chart center. The kids love putting the poems back together after we have learned them whole group.

Now that winter is officially here and Christmas is over, we will focus on winter topics including snow, snowmen, polar animals, and more. Each year we complete a "How To" unit, and this year we will write a "How to Build a Snowman" book. I created this set of materials to use while we focus on our "How to Build a Snowman" writing. It includes emergent readers, a pocket chart, graphic organizers, a snowman craft and more. Students will complete all of these activities, and then write their "How to Build a Snowman" craft using what they learned. 

We will read this "How to Build a Snowman" emergent reader. We will focus on sequencing and using context clues as we read. 

We will practice sequencing, using this "How to Build a Snowman" sequencing mat. The students will cut out the pictures, and glue them in order.

We will practice snowman related words as we complete this snowman "write the room." This will help us identify snowman related words to use in the book we write later.

We will complete this class pocket chart which sequences, "How to Build a Snowman."

My kids love to sing, so we will sing this "I Can Build a Snowman" song. 

Before we create our "How to Build a Snowman" writing book, we will make a list of things needed to build a snowman. We will use this list as we write our book.

We will use this book template to write our books. We will work on these a few days during our writing block. We will also illustrate our books, and share!

I try to squeeze in a quick craft on Fridays. We will use this snowman template to build a snowman. This is a perfect activity to end our unit with.

I would love for you to use this unit in your classroom if you choose. 

Click here to get my "How to Build a Snowman" unit!

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