Add polar bear calendar numbers to your rotation of calendar numbers for the classroom. They will serve a multitude of purposes in the classroom throughout the winter season!
The polar bear number cards are versatile, low-prep, and super fun! The trifecta! These cards are the perfect size for your classroom calendar. So you can use them for your morning calendar or circle time, an excellent way to add a little bit of extra appeal to the daily routine. They are also an incredible tool to use for early math practice!
In addition to being so versatile, the polar bear cards are extremely low prep. Just a few quick steps and they’re ready to use! The best part about the printable cards? They’re a hands-on tool that adds just a little bit of fun and flare to an abundance of learning activities!
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Related: Free Printables
If you’re a regular reader of Fun-A-Day, then you may already know that I love making simple printables that make an impact when it comes to learning. And these polar bear numbers certainly fit that bill! Be sure to scroll to the bottom of this post to grab your copy.
Polar Bear Calendar Numbers
These polar bear cards are a fun little detail for calendar time, small group activities, and center time independent practice. They make such a great tool for a variety of fun learning activities!
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How to Prep the Polar Bear Number Cards
Before jumping into prep work, make sure to grab all of the supplies you’ll need. You won’t need much to set up the polar bear calendar numbers. So the materials list is short and sweet. And, as a preschool teacher, you might already have all the supplies right in your classroom!
Here’s what you’ll need (I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post):
Yep! That’s all you’ll need.
While you’re gathering all of the prep materials, you might want to pick a few other things up, too. As I mentioned, the polar bear number cards can be used in several different ways. So the materials list might change and expand based on your activity of choice. Here are the supplies based on the activity ideas outlined below:
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Now that you’ve got all of the materials squared away, it’s time to prepare the cards. This really is a quick and painless process! Here’s what you’ll do:
- First, get your copy of the polar bear number cards at the bottom of this post.
- Then save the file to your computer.
- Open the file in the most up-to-date version of Adobe Reader.
- Print as many sets of cards as you’ll need
- Then cut the cards apart.
- Finally, laminate all the number cards.
Now the polar bear numbers are ready to use with students.
How to Use the Polar Bear Calendar Numbers
Now that you’ve got the number cards printed, laminated, and ready to go, you can start implementing them in the classroom. The most obvious way to use the polar bear calendar numbers is as the title suggests – calendar numbers!
If you’re a fan of circle or calendar time each day, have a student come up and place the polar bear date in the correct place. There are a few different ways to build on identifying the date during calendar time.
Consider using the date as the “number of the day.” Then you can build on the typical calendar routine by having students count the correct number of manipulatives, draw the correct number of shapes, or even just practice writing numbers based on the “number of the day.”
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If you’re not a fan of calendar time, just fill your calendar with the cards at the beginning of the month. You don’t necessarily have to interact with the cards for them to have an impact on learning. Reference them throughout the school day. You might even notice the kids using the calendar as a reference during certain activities!
The kids can use the calendar as a resource when counting, adding, or writing numbers. You can also tap along the numbers as you count various things throughout the day or read a counting book.
More Ways to Use the Polar Bear Numbers with Kids
As I mentioned above, there are several more ways to use the number cards in the classroom. I’ll go over a few ideas below.
- Have the kids put the numbers in order from 1 to 35. Then challenge them to do it in reverse. For students just starting to learn numbers, scale it down by only having them use numbers 1 to 10.
- Print two copies of the polar bear number cards. Alternatively, pair the polar bear numbers with another set of calendar numbers. Then use the two sets of number cards as a memory-matching game!
- Set out some small manipulatives that match the theme of the cards. Snowflake buttons or blue gems (to represent ice) go well with the polar bear theme. Then have students practice one-to-one correspondence as they count out manipulatives based on the number shown on each card.
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- Line the bottom of a shallow tray with salt to represent snow. Then set the tray out with the polar bear number cards. Using the cards as a model, students can use their fingers or an unsharpened pencil to practice writing numbers in the sensory writing tray.
- Set up a sensory bin using fake snow, small polar bear figures, and blue glass gems. Place the polar bead number cards next to the sensory bin. Then let the kids play as they see fit! You might be surprised by how they initiate counting and number practice when presented with the opportunity.
As you can see, there are a ton of meaningful ways to use the polar bear calendar numbers in the classroom. And this list just skims the surface of activity possibilities. Take a look at your lesson plans and see where you can put the polar bear cards to use!
What Skills are Kids Practicing with the Number Cards?
Now that you’ve got an idea of just how versatile the polar bear calendar numbers are, we can dive into all the learning opportunities they can offer. Depending on the activities you chose to use them with, the polar bear number cards are a great tool for learning and practicing tons of preschool concepts and skills!
Here are a few:
- Calendar skills
- Counting
- One-to-one correspondence
- Number identification
- Number formation
- Patterns
- Numerical order
Now, remember, young children are ALWAYS learning. And they’re often learning things that we aren’t overtly trying to teach them. The skills and concepts listed above are just a few ideas of what the kids can learn with a simple printable like this. It’s certainly not all-encompassing.
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So, how will you use the polar bear cards in the classroom? Will you go for the traditional calendar numbers? Or will you venture out and use them for another activity? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!
And don’t forget to scroll to the bottom of this post for your copy of the free printable calendar numbers!
More Arctic Animal Activities
Here are some fun ideas to try in conjunction with the polar bear calendar numbers:
- Snow Writing Tray
- Why Are Polar Bears White Investigation
- Arctic Sensory Bin
- Polar bear sound activity
- The Mitten Sequencing Activity
- Arctic Animals Letter Mazes
- Arctic Animals Preschool Printables
- Blubber Experiment
- Penguin Sensory Bin
- Narwhal Scrape Painting
- The Mitten Printables
- Walrus Whiskers Roll and Count
- Arctic Small World
There are so many engaging and fun activities listed here. And they cover early concepts in math, literacy, art, science, and more! This is a great start for an Arctic animal theme.
Arctic Lesson Plans
Let Preschool Teacher 101 save you a ton of planning time with fully-developed, done-for-you early childhood resources. We have hundreds of lesson plans, classroom management guides, circle time songs, digital games, dramatic play packs, and so much more.
Our Arctic Lesson Plans would be perfect in combination with the polar bear calendar numbers! Click on the image below to get your own:
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Click on the images below for more information about these products that are perfect for winter:
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So, do these products seem like they will fit well with your teaching style? If so, consider becoming a Preschool Teacher 101 member. Members get regular access to our products at a deeply discounted rate!
Get the Free Printable Polar Bear Calendar Numbers
The free printable polar bears numbers are available to members of Fun-A-Day’s free email community. If you’re a member, fill out the form below and the download links will be sent to your inbox. If you’re not a member, you can join us by entering your information in the form. Then you’ll receive the printable as a welcome gift!
Be sure to check out my printing FAQ page if you run into any issues.
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