If you like swapping out your calendar numbers each month, these crayon calendar numbers are for you! You can incorporate them into your classroom in countless other ways beyond the calendar, too.
Use these free crayon number cards to explore a wide variety of early math skills with preschool and kindergarten children. From number identification to one-to-one correspondence, these printable numbers will come in handy.
I think the crayon numbers are perfect for back-to-school time. But, really, you can use them any time throughout the year! They’re very easy to prep, so you can get them ready in almost no time at all.
Related: Math Activities for Preschoolers
I know not every teacher likes to switch out their calendar cards each month, but it’s something I’ve always enjoyed. It’s a small change at the beginning of the month, and the different illustrations add a sense of whimsy to the classroom. And little differences like this can draw kids’ attention in new ways, which is a bonus.
Be sure to get your own copy of the crayon-themed calendar numbers at the bottom of this post.
Crayon Calendar Numbers
As I mentioned above, these number cards are very low-prep and can be used in so many math activities! Read on for a few ideas to get you started. Although something tells me you and your students will come up with even more ideas.
How to Prep the Crayon Number Cards
You don’t need very much to get your crayon calendar numbers ready to go. Here’s what I use (I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post):
And that’s about it. If you want to add a few optional items, here are my suggestions:
Now, onto getting those numbers prepped. First, grab the free printable at the bottom of this post. Then print those crayon numbers. Cut them apart and laminate the cards. Finally, cut the laminated numbers apart. And then you’re ready to use them for math of all sorts!
How to Use the Crayon Calendar Numbers
The first way you can use them is in the name! Incorporate the crayon cards into your traditional or linear classroom calendar. I’ve used my calendar numbers with both with a lot of success.
Of course, these numbers can also be used beyond the calendar. They’re perfect for math small groups, math centers, and math-themed whole group activities. Here are a few more ideas for you:
Related: Free Preschool Number Printables
Let the kids draw a number from a bag to see what order they line up in on the way to the playground. What a great way to work on number identification and numerical order!
Print two sets of calendar numbers and set up a number matching game. You can use multiple copies of the crayon calendar numbers, or grab another set (maybe our apple calendar numbers?).
Pair the cards with loose parts or math manipulatives to practice one-to-one correspondence. They ARE crayon numbers, so why not use actual crayons or crayon manipulatives? Help the kids identify the number on the card before counting out the corresponding number of crayons.
Use the numbers as visual cues in conjunction with a sensory writing tray. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Add some sand to a shallow tray and let the kids write in it with their fingers. Or use a crayon to do so!
Measure how many “crayons” tall each child is using the numbers. You can extend this idea with a class graph, too. Maybe try this at the beginning of the year, and then again at the end?
There really are an endless amount of ways to use the apple numbers with your students. Be sure to let me know how they’re used in your classroom!
Learning with Crayon Numbers
I keep mentioning all of the skills these cards can be used to practice, right? I’m not kidding that it’s quite a few! Here are just some of the math concepts you can teach and practice using the crayon calendar numbers:
- Numerical order
- Number identification
- Patterns
- Skip counting
- One-to-one correspondence
- Graphing and data analysis
- Addition
- Subtraction
- Measurement
- Number formation
Not too shabby! I feel like these are some rather important skills that feature heavily in early childhood math lessons.
More Crayon Activities
Here are some more kids’ activities with crayons to check out (after you get your own copy of the crayon calendar numbers, of course):
Back-To-School Preschool Teacher Resources
Let Preschool Teacher 101 help carry some of your load with fully-developed, done-for-you products. We’ll save you a ton of time, so you can be focused on being your amazing teacher self.
Click on the images below for some of our most popular resources during the back-to-school season (if you’re looking for even better deal, be sure to take a look at The Pack from Preschool Teacher 101, a membership for teachers just like you):
You can also find us on Teachers Pay Teachers!
Get the Crayon Calendar Numbers
The crayon number cards are available for members of Fun-A-Day’s free email community. If you’re a member, enter your email and the download link will be sent to your inbox. If not, you can join us by filling out the form below. You’ll get the crayon numbers as a welcome gift!
If you can’t see the above form, you can access it in a new tab here. Be sure to take a look at my printing FAQ if you run into any problems.
The post Free Printable Crayon Calendar Numbers appeared first on Fun-A-Day!.