There is something about spring and summer time – all the insects want to come out to play. Our oldest is not too sure what to think about them. Sometimes she can handle them and other times she goes into full freak out panic mode if there is a fly within a five foot radius of her. Our middle child is not bothered at all by them. In fact, she picked one up there day and ate it. {Ick and Gross!} Since insects and bugs have been on our mind, I wanted to channel them into this week’s freebie – Insect Counting Mats.
The Insect Counting Mats
This is a very low-prep center that can easily be incorporated into your math center at anytime of the school year to help students focus on counting and one to one correspondence. It is also super easy to let your little ones play with it at home too. My oldest is three and she had a blast picking out which insects so she would use for each mat.
How to use the insect counting mats
Simply print off the mats and cards and then laminate everything prior to use. (I say this knowing full well I have an addiction to laminating EVERYTHING that will be reused. You do not have to laminate, but doing so will definitely allow the center to last much longer.) After laminating, cut out the insect cards and then you are ready to go.
Supplies needed:
- Insect counting mats printable (download below!)
- Playdough (or try making your own!)
- Laminator
- Scissors or Paper Trimmer
- vis-a-vie markers
First students will trace the number word and the number. They can write the number two different ways. Option one requires the students to use play doh to form the numbers.
Option two requires students to use a vis-a-vie marker to trace the number. Regardless of what you choose, students will be practicing number formation in a fun, hands-on way.
Once students have completed both steps mentioned above, they can choose insect cards to match the number on the mat. This helps enforce one to one correspondence.
Older students can write the different addition sentences that make the number on the counting mat using a vis-a-vie.
Please send me an email if there is a product that you are in needing for your classroom. I would be happy to make it.
I hope that you and your students enjoy these insect counting mats.
Click the image below to download Insect Counting Mats for free.
I’m having problems downloading your insect counting mats. I have filled out the form and when I click submit it takes me to a message saying page not available. When I hover over the image it says pin me. I normally don’t have problems downloading your freebies.
I double checked the download link and it seem to be working fine on my side. Please let me know if you are still having issues!
I’ll keep saying it – you are awesome! !!! Your activities are my students favorite to do in class!! They have helped sooo much and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you sharing them!!! Have a great day and thank you!!!
Oh my goodness, thank you so much for your kind words. Notes like this ALWAYS make my day and motivate me to keep doing what I am doing.
I’m not sure if I’m doing something wrong but I can’t seem to download the insect counting mats. I put in my in and then it just says submitting for a really long time and it never loads? Thanks for all your resources!!!
Technology just sometimes does not behave! We checked the link and it is working properly. Maybe try opening it in a new browser? And see if that helps! Let me know if you’re still having problems and we can help you out!
Mine does the same thing for about 1 out of every 3 (free) things I try to download from here. I love her stuff, but I never know if I´m going to be able to use what I find.
Hello! I’m so sorry you haven’t received your downloads. Will you please check your spam, junk or promotions folders to see if they’re hiding in there?
If you still can’t find them, please feel free to email me at freebies @ adabofgluewilldo (dot) com, please let me know exactly what freebie you were hoping for so I can send it to you. Also, if you are using a work email sometimes they block our emails with the downloads so you may want to use a personal email.
Thank you for your patience, Jennifer
Thank you for the great resource!
I hope you have fun with it!!! Thank you!
Those bugs are adorable! These will be fun for the kiddos to practice their numbers.
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