Counting Grids 5, 10, 20, 100: Fall Scarecrow
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Number of Pages: 42
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Coordinating Activities
This Fall Scarecrow Counting Grid Game includes multiple levels and print options so you can choose what works best for your students without overcomplicating your prep.
- Counting grid mats for 5, 10, 20, and 100
- Filled grid game mats for visual counting support
- Blank grid game mats for hands-on counting practice
- Full color fall scarecrow mats
- Black and white counting grid mats
- Differentiated instruction cube inserts
- Cube template
- Teacher instructions
- Differentiation tips
The 4 levels make it easy to use one counting activity with a wide range of learners. Start with counting to 5, build confidence with counting to 10, stretch into counting to 20, or bring out the 100 grid for students ready to practice larger numbers and beginning addition.
Required Materials:
- Laminator
- Paper Cutter
- Paper, Printer, Ink
- Scissors
- Differentiated Instruction Cube (Optional)
Standards Alignment
Common Core Math Standards
- CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.CC.A.1: Count to 100 by ones and by tens.
- CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.CC.A.2: Count forward beginning from a given number.
- CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.CC.B.4: Understand the relationship between numbers and quantities.
- CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.CC.B.5: Count to answer “how many?” questions.
- CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.OA.A.1: Represent addition and subtraction with objects, drawings, sounds, actions, and objects.
- CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.OA.C.5: Relate counting to addition and subtraction.
Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines
- Texas Prekindergarten IV.A.2: Child recognizes and names small numbers of objects.
- Texas Prekindergarten IV.A.3: Child counts up to 10 items and demonstrates that the last count indicates how many items were counted.
- Texas Prekindergarten IV.A.5: Child counts objects using one to one correspondence.
- Texas Prekindergarten IV.B.1: Child uses concrete objects to solve simple addition and subtraction problems.
TEKS Kindergarten Math
- K.2A: Count forward and backward to at least 20 with and without objects.
- K.2B: Read, write, and represent whole numbers from 0 to at least 20 with and without objects or pictures.
- K.2C: Count a set of objects up to at least 20 and demonstrate that the last number said tells the number of objects.
- K.3A: Model the action of joining to represent addition and separating to represent subtraction.
Virginia Foundation Blocks and SOL Math
- Virginia SOL K.CE.1: Model and solve addition and subtraction situations using concrete objects.
- Virginia Foundation Blocks, Mathematics, Number and Number Sense: Children count, recognize quantities, and use one to one correspondence with concrete objects.
- Virginia SOL K.NS.1: Count forward orally by ones from 0 to 100.
- Virginia SOL K.NS.4: Count a set of objects and identify the quantity.
Skills Kids Practice While Playing
- Counting Objects: Students count each crow, counter, pom pom, mini eraser, or play dough piece as they fill the grid.
- One-to-One Correspondence: Children place one manipulative on each space to connect each counted object with one number word.
- Number Recognition: Students build confidence with numbers 5, 10, 20, and 100 as they use the counting mats.
- Number-Quantity Matching: Learners connect the number on the mat with the correct number of objects on the grid.
- Subitizing: Students begin recognizing small groups without counting every object one by one.
- Counting On: Children add more pieces to the grid and continue counting from the amount already filled.
- Beginning Addition: Students combine rolled numbers with the number of filled spaces for simple, hands-on addition practice.
- Early Subtraction: Students can start with a filled grid and remove objects to practice taking away.
- Number Sense: Repeated play helps children understand how numbers grow, compare, and connect to real quantities.
- Math Vocabulary: Students naturally use words like more, less, same, filled, empty, count, add, and total.
Fine Motor and Learning Skills
- Fine Motor Development: Small manipulatives, pom poms, mini erasers, or tongs help strengthen little hands.
- Hand-Eye Coordination: Students practice placing objects carefully on each grid space.
- Visual Tracking: Children scan the grid as they count, cover, and check their work.
- Focus and Attention: The game format keeps students engaged as they work toward filling the mat.
- Following Directions: Students practice simple steps as they roll, count, and place each object.
- Turn-Taking: Partner play and small group use give students a natural way to practice waiting and sharing materials.
- Problem Solving: Learners decide where to place objects and figure out how many more are needed.
- Independence: The clear visual format helps students use the activity successfully in centers.
- Confidence Building: Students experience success with counting at the level that fits them best.
- Play-Based Learning: The activity feels like a game while still targeting important early math skills.
Counting Grids: Fall Scarecrow
Fall counting practice feels extra fun when there is a cheerful scarecrow, a flock of silly crows, and a grid waiting to be filled! These Fall Scarecrow Counting Grid Games give preschool, pre-k, and kindergarten students a hands-on way to practice counting, number recognition, one-to-one correspondence, and beginning addition while playing with manipulatives.
Students roll, count, and add objects to the grid as they work toward filling the mat. The filled grids give extra visual support for younger learners, while the blank grids help students build number sense more independently. With counting grids for 5, 10, 20, and 100, this fall math activity is easy to differentiate for small groups, math centers, homeschool, OT sessions, and classroom practice.
How to Use It
- Choose the counting grid mat that matches your students’ current skill level: 5, 10, 20, or 100.
- Students roll a die, count the number shown, and add that many manipulatives to the fall scarecrow grid. Use mini erasers, buttons, pom poms, snap cubes, counters, or play dough balls.
- Continue rolling, counting, and filling the grid until every space is covered. For extra practice, students can count how many spaces are filled, how many spaces are empty, or how many more they need to complete the mat.
Suggested Ways to Use the Counting Grids
- Roll and Count: Roll a die, count the dots, and add that many manipulatives to the grid.
- Fill the Grid: Keep rolling and adding objects until every space on the grid is filled.
- Count and Cover: Place one manipulative on each space while counting aloud to practice one to one correspondence.
- Match the Filled Grid: Use the filled grid mats for students who need extra visual support. Students place manipulatives directly on top of the firefly pictures.
- Build the Number: Use the blank grid mats and have students build the target number with counters, mini erasers, pom poms, buttons, snap cubes, or play dough balls.
- Play Dough Counting: Roll small play dough balls and place one on each space. This adds extra fine motor practice while students count.
- Mini Eraser Math: Use summer mini erasers or small counters to make the counting grid more engaging for math centers.
- Count How Many Are Filled: Pause during the game and ask students to count how many spaces are covered.
- Count How Many Are Empty: Have students count the empty spaces and tell how many more they need to fill the grid.
- Compare Numbers: Use two grids side by side and ask which grid has more, less, or the same number of spaces filled.
- Partner Counting Game: Students take turns rolling the die, counting, and adding pieces to the same grid.
- Race to Fill: Give each student their own grid. Students roll, count, and fill their mats to see who fills the grid first.
- Beginning Addition: Roll two dice, add the numbers together, and place that many manipulatives on the grid.
- Counting On: After some spaces are filled, students roll again and count on from the number already on the grid.
- Subtraction Practice: Start with a filled grid, roll a die, and remove that many objects. Count how many are left.
- Number Talk Warm-Up: Show a partially filled grid and ask, “How many do you see?” “How do you know?” or “How many more to fill the grid?”
- Small Group Practice: Use the grids during teacher-led math groups to observe counting accuracy, one to one correspondence, and number recognition.
- Morning Tub Activity: Add a grid mat, dice, and manipulatives to a morning tub for quick, independent math practice.
- Fine Motor Center: Pair the grid with tweezers, tongs, or small manipulatives to strengthen fine motor skills while practicing counting.
- Take-Home Practice: Send the black and white grids home for simple counting practice with cereal, buttons, coins, or small toys.
