Back to school number recognition mats for numbers 1-20 that make the first weeks of math feel like a fun ride on the school bus! These school bus count and sort mats are ready for your preschool, pre-K and kindergarten math centers.

On each mat, children build the number with play dough or a dry erase marker, write the numeral and number word and then find the matching ten-frame, tally marks and array. That's number recognition, number words and early counting skills all in one low-prep back to school activity. (A ten-frame is a 2 by 5 grid that helps children see numbers in groups of five and ten. An array shows a number as objects lined up in rows.)

With these back to school number recognition mats, you get

• School bus count and sort mats for numbers 1-20
• Practice with numerals, number words, ten-frames, tally marks and arrays
• Color and black and white versions of the mats and number sorting cards
• A school bus theme that fits right into your back to school plans

Print, laminate and your back to school number center is ready to roll!

What's Included

• School Bus Count and Sort Mats (color)
• Matching Number Sorting Cards (color)
• School Bus Count and Sort Mats (black and white)
• Number Sorting Cards (black and white)
• Mats for numbers 1-20, each with a matching ten-frame, tally marks and array to find

Why Teachers Love It

• Many ways to show a number: Each mat connects the numeral, the number word, a ten-frame, tally marks and an array.
• Perfect for the first weeks of school: The school bus theme fits a back to school unit and gives children a fun way to start math centers.
• Hands-on and reusable: Play dough and dry erase markers make each laminated mat ready to use again and again.
• Low prep: Print, laminate and cut apart the number sorting cards.
• Printer-friendly: The mats and cards come in color and black and white.
• Easy storage: Add Velcro and store the cards right on the count and sort mats.

Skills Students Practice

Primary Academic Skills

• Number recognition 1-20: Children identify each numeral and find the cards that match it.
• Number formation: Building numbers with play dough and writing them with a dry erase marker give hands-on practice.
• Number words: Children write the number word on the lines of each mat.
• Ten-frames: Children match each number to a ten-frame that shows the same amount.
• Tally marks: Children count tally marks and connect them to the matching number.
• Arrays: Children match an array to each number.
• Counting and cardinality: Counting each set shows that the last number said tells how many.
• Fine motor skills: Rolling and shaping play dough builds hand strength.

Secondary Life & Learning Skills

• Following directions
• Working independently
• Maintaining attention
• Using mathematical language
• Building confidence

How to Use It

Step 1: Print and laminate the school bus count and sort mats and number sorting cards. Cut apart the number sorting cards. For convenient storage, add Velcro to the number cards and squares so you can keep the activity neatly organized with the cards attached to the count and sort mats.

Step 2: Have children use play dough to form the number on the mat, or trace it with a dry erase marker. Children can also use a dry erase marker to write the number word and/or numeral on the provided lines.

Step 3: Children find the corresponding ten-frame, tally marks and array for each number and place them on the mat.

Materials You'll Need

• Laminator
• Scissors
• Play dough
• Dry erase markers
• Velcro (optional, for storage)

Easy Differentiation

Every child starts the school year at a different place with numbers. These school bus mats make it simple to meet each child right where they are.

For Children Who Need More Support

• Start with numbers 1-5 or 1-10
• Match only one type of card at a time, such as the ten-frames
• Trace the number with a finger before building it with play dough
• Count each tally mark together, touching each one

For On-Level Practice

• Build each number with play dough and write the numeral
• Find the ten-frame, tally marks and array for each mat
• Work through numbers 1-20 across the week

For an Extra Challenge

• Write the number word on every mat
• Use the number cards to play a matching game
• Sort the cards for several numbers at once
• Explain how the ten-frame, tally marks and array all show the same number

For Speech, OT, ELL or Special Education Support

• Say number names aloud while matching each card
• Use play dough to build hand strength and control
• Add Velcro so cards stay in place on the mats
• Give extra processing time and model each step before children begin

Perfect For

• Back to school math centers
• School bus and transportation units
• Small groups
• Morning tubs
• Intervention
• Special education classrooms
• Homeschool preschool and kindergarten
• Early finishers

Standards

These back to school number recognition mats support kindergarten math standards in Common Core, the TEKS (Math, adopted 2012) and the Virginia Math SOL (2023), plus the 2022 Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines and Virginia's Early Learning and Development Standards (2021):

Common Core State Standards

• CCSS K.CC.A.3: Write numbers from 0 to 20 and represent a number of objects with a written numeral.
• CCSS K.CC.B.4.b: Understand that the last number name said tells the number of objects counted.
• CCSS K.CC.B.5: Count to answer "how many?" questions about as many as 20 things.

Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines

• Texas Pre-K Guidelines PK4.V.A.3: Count up to 10 items and show that the last number tells how many.
• Texas Pre-K Guidelines PK4.V.A.5: Recognize numerals 0-10 on each mat and sorting card.

Texas TEKS

• TEKS Math K.2.B: Read, write and represent whole numbers from 0 to at least 20 with and without objects or pictures.
• TEKS Math K.2.D: Recognize the quantity of a small group of objects, such as a ten-frame, without counting.

Virginia Early Learning and Development Standards

• Virginia ELDS CD3.1: Count and recognize quantities with ten-frames, tally marks and arrays.

Virginia SOL

• VA SOL Math K.NS.1.c: Represent counting using tools such as ten-frames.
• VA SOL Math K.NS.2.a: Read, write and identify numerals.

Grab the Back to School Number Recognition Mats and have a number center ready in minutes. Print, laminate and watch children build, write and match numbers 1-20 with ten-frames, tally marks and arrays. Add it to your cart today!

This activity is also included in the Number Recognition BUNDLE.

Download Details

Please note: This is a digital download that will be available to you directly after purchase. Nothing will be mailed to you.

You will receive a link to the download in three places

1. On the 'thank you' page after checkout
2. In your email
3. Login on the site here: https://lifeovercsstore.com/account