Roll and Count Math Activity: Beach Sea Shells Theme
Recommended Grade Level:
Type of Resource: PDF
Number of Pages: 3
Coordinating Activities
Beach Sea Shells Roll and Count Math Activity
- 1 Roll It, Write It, Show It mat
- Each mat includes:
- A Roll it box to draw the dots or picture rolled
- A Write it box to write the number
- A Show it picture of the beach for building the set
Print in color and laminate the mat so kids can write on it with a dry-erase marker.
Required Materials:
- Paper, Printer, Ink
- Laminator (recommended so the mat lasts)
- Die (numbers or dots 1 to 6)
- Dry-erase marker
- Sea shells (real or craft shells)
Standards for Counting and Cardinality
This Beach Sea Shells roll and count activity supports early math standards connected to writing numbers, counting objects, one-to-one correspondence and matching numbers to amounts.
Common Core State Standards: Mathematics
- CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.CC.A.3: Write numbers from 0 to 20 and represent a number of objects with a written numeral. Kids write the number they roll in the Write it box.
- CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.CC.B.4: Understand the relationship between numbers and quantities. Kids connect the number they roll to a set of sea shells.
- CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.CC.B.5: Count to answer “how many?” questions. Kids count the sea shells on the mat to answer how many.
Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines and TEKS for Mathematics
- PK4.V.A.2: Children count up to 10 objects with one-to-one correspondence. Kids place one sea shell at a time as they count.
- PK4.V.A.3: Children count up to 10 items and show that the last number counted tells how many are in the set.
- TEKS K.2C: Count a set of objects and show that the last number said tells how many are in the set.
Virginia Mathematics Standards of Learning
- K.NS.1.a: Use one-to-one correspondence to find how many are in a set. Kids place one sea shell at a time as they count.
- K.NS.2.b: Build a set of objects to match a given numeral. Kids build a set of sea shells to match the number they rolled.
Beach Sea Shells Roll and Count Math Activity helps preschool and kindergarten kids roll a number, write it and count out a matching set with a hands-on printable math activity.
Collect shells on the sand! Kids roll a die and place that many sea shells on the beach.
The mat has three parts. Kids roll the die and draw what they see in the Roll it box, write the number in the Write it box and then show it by placing that many sea shells on the beach.
Moving from dots to a written number to a set of real objects helps kids connect each number to the amount it stands for.
Laminate the mat and use a dry-erase marker so kids can roll and count again and again.
Keep the mat in a math tub with a die, a dry-erase marker and a cup of sea shells for a quick math center.
How to Use Beach Sea Shells Roll and Count Math Activity
- Roll the die and count the dots.
- Draw the dots in the Roll it box.
- Write the number in the Write it box.
- Count out that many sea shells and place them on the beach.
- Wipe the mat clean and roll again.
Small Group: Give each child a mat. Take turns rolling one die for the group, then everyone writes the number and shows it on their own mat.
Independent Practice: Set the mat in a math center with a die, a dry-erase marker and a cup of sea shells. Kids roll, write and show as many times as they like.
Easy Ways to Differentiate This Roll and Count Activity
Every group of kids has a mix of counting, number recognition and fine motor skills. These simple changes keep the activity familiar while meeting each child where they are.
For Children Who Need More Support:
- Cover the 4, 5 and 6 sides of the die to start with small numbers.
- Touch and count each dot on the die together before counting out the objects.
- Skip the Write it box at first and focus on counting.
- Use larger objects for kids who are still building hand strength.
For On-Level Practice:
- Roll, write and show the number on each turn.
- Have kids say the number word after they count.
- Count the objects again to check the work.
- Have a partner roll and check the count.
For an Extra Challenge:
- Roll two dice and add them together for numbers up to 12.
- Show one more or one less than the number rolled.
- Roll twice and tell which number is bigger.
- Write the number word under the numeral.
For Speech, OT, ELL or Special Education Support:
- Model the number word and give plenty of wait time.
- Accept pointing, gestures, AAC or any communication method the child already uses.
- Use tongs or tweezers to place counters for added fine motor practice.
- Repeat the same small set of numbers across several sessions.
- Talk about the beach and the shells you can find there.
Beach Sea Shells Roll and Count Math Activity Is Perfect For:
- Preschool and pre-K
- Kindergarten
- ELL and multilingual learners
- Beach, ocean and summer themes
- Math centers
- Morning tubs
- Small-group instruction
- Intervention
- Special education
- Speech, OT and early intervention sessions
- Homeschool preschool and kindergarten
- Substitute plans
