Building number sense skills is an integral part of early childhood math activities, and there are many hands-on ways to help kids gain exposure to number sense concepts. We’ve developed of series of number sense packets that help kids get valuable number sense practice all year long. They also allow teachers and parents to easily differentiate learning for multiple kids, making it much easier to meet individual needs. Here is a glimpse of some of the Ladybug Number Sense Math Activities from one of these sets.

GET ALL THE LADYBUG NUMBER SENSE ACTIVITIES IN OUR PRINTABLE LADYBUG NUMBER SENSE PACK.

The full Ladybug Number Sense Pack includes resources to practice the following skills for numbers to 10:

• Counting Sets
• Recognizing Numbers
• Ways to Make 10
• Composing Numbers
• Decomposing Numbers
• Adding
• Subtracting
• Comparing
• One More
• One Less

Here in this article we’re focusing on decomposing numbers and one less.

See these Ladybug Number Sense Math Activities in Action

Watch this quick video to see how we’re using some of these materials.

Decomposing Numbers Math Center

In the number sense math packs there are activity mats that help students use math manipulatives to practice each math concept. These can be used in small groups, one-on-one, and during math centers. This activity mat is for helping kids practice decomposing numbers.

As kids are decomposing numbers they are learning that there are multiple combinations that can be created to make the same numbers. Here 4 and 3 is shown as a way to make 7.

Another child may show that 1 and 6 is a way to make 7. This provides a wonderful opportunity for kids to discuss their math thinking and show different ways to make the number.

Give kids ample time to practice different ways to show the focus number. Then try a different focus number and see how kids begin to expand their thinking and find more and more combinations.

The set also includes a recording sheet that can be used to record their findings. (Tip: Laminate them for kids to reuse over and over again.)

One Less Activity

Learning about one more and one less can be a bit tricky for some kids, so practice this concept often and with concrete materials can be very beneficial.

Here we’re using mini pom poms to represent ladybugs. As kids draw a card from the stack they show one less on the leaf and add the magnetic number to show one less than the amount on the card.

Note that we are using the set cards here. You can also differentiate by using the number cards or the number word cards.

To follow up with the activity you can also have kids continue practicing by using the One Less recording sheet.

These are just two of the hands-on ways we’re using the Ladybug Number Sense Math Activities pack to practice number sense skills. There are so many more options!

More Number Sense Resources for Early Childhood

One More One Less Activities

More and Less Domino Math

GET YOUR FREE SAMPLE OF THE LADYBUG NUMBER SENSE MATH ACTIVITIES

The free sample of the Ladybug Number Sense Math Activities includes:

• Ladybug Numbers Cards 0-10 in color
• Decomposing Activity Mat
• Decomposing Recording Sheet

Get a the Full Ladybug Number Sense Pack

This 69-page set is designed to be very interactive, giving kids many opportunities to use manipulatives.

You can introduce the ideas during circle time and then use the math games during small group and center time.

There are even differentiated take home packs for families to do the activities at home.

Inside there are:

• Tips and Ideas for Use
• 0-10 Ladybug Number Cards Sets in Color and Black and White
• 16 Activity Cards with Hands-on Number Sense Activity Directions
• 9 Small Group and Center Number Sense Activity Mats
• 14 Number Sense Recording Sheets
• 4 Differentiated Take Home Packs of Number Sense Activities

Get a Full Week of Ladybug Theme Fun & Learning

In this 98-page set you’ll find tons of playful learning activities and these printables: