Counting and Writing Numbers 1-120

One of the first math concepts I teach at the beginning of each school year is my math unit over counting and writing numbers 1-120.  This unit usually takes me between 2-3 weeks to teach.  I like to slowly teach the students how to count and write the numbers.  For example, I will spend a day teaching and practicing counting and writing the numbers 1-10.  Then, the next day we will build on that knowledge by learning how to count and write the number to 20.  This slow progression will continue on until we have reached 120!

 

My math unit includes Smartboard slides and activities to aid in the teaching of the concept, whole-group and/or small group activities, math centers, and multiple worksheet pages to help practice the concept.

 

Here is a look into my Counting and Writing Numbers 1-120 math unit...

 

We use this counting mat to practice counting together as a group.  We start and stop at the different symbols to practice counting in different ways.

 

 

This chart is glued into each student's math journal or taped on their desk as a reference tool for them to use during this unit.

 

 

Each day we slowly learn and practice counting and writing the numbers.  I use these Smartboard slides to aid in my lessons each day.

 

 

The students use this flipbook each day to help practice writing their numbers as we go through it together on the Smartboard.

 

 

After we work through the Smartboard slide together as a class and the flipbook - then I have some type of independent practice page the students work on at their desk.

 

For example:

 

1-10 & 1-20 Practice

 

1-20 Practice

 

1-30 Practice

 

1-40 Practice

 

1-50 Practice

 

1-60 Practice

 

1-70 Practice

 

1-80 Practice

 

1-90 Practice

 

1-100 Practice

 

Smartboard Activity

For this Smartboard activity the students tell me what number each animal is covering up.

 

 

1-120 Practice

 

Smartboard Activity

For this Smartboard activity the students fill in the missing numbers taken out of the 120 chart.

 

 

Whole-Group and/or Small-Group Activities:

 

We go though some Smartboard slides together as a class discovering what the missing number is on the number line.

 

Then, as a whole-group activity we play Number Scoot!  The students "scoot" around the classroom answering what number is missing on the card and recording the answer on their recording sheet.

 

 

A small-group activity we play is called Pass the Paper.  For this activity each student has a different color marker or crayon.  When you say, "Go" the paper gets passed around the group as each student writes the number that comes next.  The goal is to see which group finishes first with all the correct answers!

 

 

Another activity we do as a class is build a class number line.  Each student is responsible for making a set of numbers for the number line and adding them in the correct spot on the number line.  This number line is great to make and post on your classroom wall as a reference tool for the students to use throughout the year.  I used masking tape to make my number line.

 

 

 

Math Centers:

For this center the students use the number cards to build a large 120 chart.  They can build it on the floor or in a pocket chart.  After they have built the chart at their center they can look for and discuss the patterns they see in the chart with their group members.

 

For this math game one student covers up a number with a cube while the other group members aren't looking.  The first group member to yell out what number is covered up gets to cover up the next number.  This game continues on until math center time is up.

 

For this Smartboard activity we practice as a class counting by starting and stopping at different numbers.

 

For the Start and Stop math center the students do the same thing by flipping over two number cards.  The cards tell the students what number to start counting on and what number to stop on.  The students continue flipping over numbers and counting until math center time is up.

 

For the 120 chart puzzle center each student works on putting the pieces together to form a completed 120 chart.  If they have time remaining they may choose another puzzle to complete.

 

As a class we complete this Smartboard activity together.  We push the number generator to get a number.  Then, we fill in the boxes with the numbers that surround that number on a 120 chart.

 

Then, the students do a similar activity at their math center.  They will choose a number card from the deck and fill in the surrounding numbers on their recording sheet.  They may use the completed 120 chart for help.

 

 

For this activity the students flip over a number card, find it on the chart, and color it in. 

 

The Counting Booklet math center is great to use for multiple weeks.  For this math center the students get a counting booklet cover page and color it.  Then, they work on filling in a hundreds chart.  Once they have finished writing the numbers 1-100 they will get another blank grid and begin writing the numbers 101-200.  They will add each page to their booklet.  The goal is to see how many pages they can add/how far they can count!

 

 

For this Smartboard activity the students roll the dice and write the next five numbers that come next. 

 

They will do the exact same thing at the Roll On! math center.

 

 

Here are some additional Smartboard activities we do to practice counting and writing the numbers 1-120.

 

 

 

 

 

 

To end the unit I have the students complete various assessments.  I use these assessments to help fill in progress reports and/or report cards.

 

 

 

Click HERE to download my Counting and Writing Numbers 1-120 Math Unit from my TpT Store!