Kindergarten teachers are always on the lookout for tips and techniques that will help them effectively implement and run math tubs in their classrooms. If you’re one of those teachers, then you’re in luck! Keep reading to learn the Secret To Successful Math Tubs in Kindergarten.
After years of experience teaching both kindergarteners and other educators through professional development, I have discovered that incorporating a variety of enjoyable yet purposeful activities is crucial to the academic achievement of little learners.
Math Tubs
Math tubs are no different. It’s essential to have activities that students can do independently, with a partner, or in a small group to make the most of this learning tool. (See Math Bins For Little Learners to get started.)
Year-Round Math Tub Activities
It’s crucial to have year-long math activities to ensure your little learners have repeated opportunities to practice essential math skills.
- Pattern blocks: This is a hands-on way for students to practice building numbers 0-20, as well as tracing the numbers, identifying number representations and showing the number in the Ten Frame. (Number Pattern Block Mats For Little Learners)
- Dice games: Dice can be used to create a variety of math games, such as addition and subtraction war, place value roll and build, and Subitizing Roll & Cover. (Using Dice Games For Math Practice)
- Number sense activities: Include activities that focus on building number sense, such as counting, number recognition, and comparing and ordering numbers.
Current or Recently Introduced Math Practice Activities
Including activities that practice current or recently learned math skills, as well as themed or monthly activities in your math tubs, is essential.
- Holiday related activity: Pumpkin Pie Number Representations includes Tally Marks, Counting Fingers, and Counting Mats.
- Count & Match Monthly Bundle: 11 months of themed Count & Match Number Sense for numbers 1-30.
Differentiated Activities
Incorporating differentiated activities into math tubs can help make math more fun and engaging for your little learners.
- Counting Activities: You can include various counting activities in math tubs such as counting objects, counting dots, counting beads, counting fingers, and counting blocks.
- Addition and Subtraction Activities: Include in your math tubs after the concepts have been introduced.
- Pattern Activities: You can include activities such as pattern blocks, pattern matching games, and pattern recognition worksheets.
Remember, it’s important to provide your learners with activities that are challenging but not too difficult. By adjusting the difficulty level of the activities, you can help your little learners build their math skills and confidence.
Hands-On Math Activities to Develop Fine Motor Skills
Hands-on math activities is an excellent way to help your little learners strengthen their fine motor skills while learning math concepts in a fun and engaging way.
- Using manipulatives: Manipulatives such as blocks, counting bears, and linking cubes are great tools for teaching math concepts. They can also help students develop their fine motor skills by requiring them to grasp and manipulate the objects.
- Playdough mats: This activity requires fine motor skills as students must manipulate the playdough to form the desired shapes and numbers. (Playdough Activities & Tips For The Kindergarten Classroom)
- Pipe Cleaner Lacing Beads: Beads are another excellent tool for teaching math concepts. This activity requires fine motor skills. Little learners must thread the beads onto a pipe cleaner while counting.
- Punch Cards: Students color the number objects. Use a highlighter to highlight the focus number and then use the hole punch to punch a hole in each matching highlighted number around border.
- Pom Pom Math: Pom-Poms are a fun, tactile and engaging tool to use to practice math skills AND get in additional fine motor muscle practice. This resource includes a variety of activities such as number id, building, matching, sorting, etc.
In order to set the stage for your little learners academic success, intentional math practice is crucial in kindergarten. By making full use of your math tubs, not only can you provide a purposeful way to practice math skills, but you can also simplify preparation time as a teacher and ensure continuity in your activities.
