Roll and Cover Counting Game: Christmas
Recommended Grade Level:
Type of Resource: PDF
Number of Pages: 9
Coordinating Activities
Christmas Roll and Cover Counting Game
- 3 Christmas cover up game boards with the numbers 0-5 (12 spaces each)
- 3 matching sets of differentiated cube inserts:
- Set 1: gingerbread cookie numerals 0-5
- Set 2: gingerbread ten-frames showing 0-5
- Set 3: stocking pictures to count 0-5
- 1 page of directions
Print the boards and inserts in color. Laminate the boards and cut apart the inserts to slide into the pockets of a differentiated cube.
Required Materials:
- Paper, Printer, Ink
- Laminator (recommended so the boards last)
- Differentiated cube (a foam cube with clear pockets)
- Scissors to cut apart the cube inserts
- Counting chips or other counters
Standards for Counting and Cardinality
This Christmas roll and cover game supports early math standards connected to recognizing numbers, counting objects and matching numbers to amounts from 0 to 5.
Common Core State Standards: Mathematics
- CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.CC.B.4: Understand the relationship between numbers and quantities. Kids match numerals, ten-frames and pictures to the numbers 0-5 on the board.
- CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.CC.B.5: Count to answer “how many?” questions. Kids count the pictures on the cube to find 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 count the stockings on the cube one at a time.
- 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 count the stockings on the cube one at a time.
- K.NS.2.b: Build a set of objects to match a given numeral. Kids match the amount they roll to the number on the board.
Christmas Roll and Cover Counting Game helps preschool and kindergarten kids recognize numbers 0-5 and match them to amounts with a hands-on printable math game.
Gingerbread cookies and Christmas stockings make counting extra festive! Kids roll the cube and cover the matching number on their board.
Each game board has 12 spaces with the numbers 0-5 two times. Kids roll the differentiated cube, find the matching number on the board and cover it with a counting chip. They keep rolling until the whole board is covered.
The three insert sets change the skill without changing the game. Gingerbread numerals practice number recognition, gingerbread ten-frames show each amount in a ten-frame and stocking pictures give kids a set to count.
Store the boards, the cube and a cup of counting chips together in a math tub for a quick Christmas math center.
How to Use Christmas Roll and Cover Counting Game
- Choose a game board and slide the matching inserts into the cube.
- Roll the cube and name or count what you see.
- Cover the matching number on the board with a counting chip.
- Keep rolling until the whole board is covered.
Small Group: Give each child a board and play with one cube for the group. Take turns rolling, then everyone covers the matching number on their own board.
Independent Practice: Set the boards and cube in a math center with counting chips. Kids roll and cover until the board is full.
Easy Ways to Differentiate This Roll and Cover Game
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:
- Start with the stocking picture inserts so kids can count what they roll.
- Touch and count each picture on the cube together.
- Play with a partner and take turns.
- Use larger counters for kids who are still building hand strength.
For On-Level Practice:
- Use the ten-frame inserts and count the filled boxes.
- Have kids say the number word before they cover it.
- Count the covered spaces when the board is full.
- Play with a partner and see who fills their board first.
For an Extra Challenge:
- Use the numeral inserts so kids read the number instead of counting.
- Switch insert sets between games.
- Roll twice and tell which number is bigger.
- Name one more or one less than the number rolled.
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 counting chips for added fine motor practice.
- Repeat the same small set of numbers across several sessions.
- Talk about gingerbread cookies and Christmas stockings as kids play.
Christmas Roll and Cover Counting Game Is Perfect For:
- Preschool and pre-K
- Kindergarten
- ELL and multilingual learners
- Christmas and gingerbread themes
- Math centers
- Morning tubs
- Small-group instruction
- Intervention
- Special education
- Speech, OT and early intervention sessions
- Homeschool preschool and kindergarten
- Substitute plans
