Gingerbread number recognition mats for numbers 1-20 that make your Christmas math centers extra sweet! These 20 gingerbread number sorting mats are ready for your preschool, pre-K and kindergarten classroom. Kids will love sorting the numbers 1-20 with a fun gingerbread theme.

On each count and sort mat, children build the number with play dough or a dry erase marker, write the numeral and number word and then find the matching gumdrop ten-frame, candy cane tally marks and gingerbread house array. That's number recognition, writing number words and identifying ten-frames, tally marks and arrays, all in one low-prep 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 gingerbread number recognition mats, you get

• 20 gingerbread count and sort mats for numbers 1-20
• Practice with numerals, number words, ten-frames, tally marks and arrays on every mat
• Color and black and white versions of the mats and cards
• A cozy gingerbread theme for your Christmas and winter math centers

Print, laminate and your gingerbread number center is ready to go!

What's Included

• Gingerbread Count and Sort Mats (color)
• Number Sorting Cards (color)
• Gingerbread Count and Sort Mats (black and white)
• Number Sorting Cards (black and white)
• Mats for numbers 1-20, each with a gumdrop ten-frame, candy cane tally marks and a gingerbread house array to match

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.
• A festive theme kids enjoy: Gumdrops, candy canes and gingerbread houses keep number practice fun during the Christmas season.
• 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 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 gumdrop ten-frame that shows the same amount.
• Tally marks: Children count candy cane tally marks and connect them to the matching number.
• Arrays: Children match a gingerbread house 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 gingerbread count and sort mats and number sorting cards. Cut apart the number sorting cards. For ease of storage, you can add Velcro to the number cards and squares and store the activity with the cards attached to the count and sort mats.

Step 2: Have children use play dough to create the number on the mat. Another option is to use a dry erase marker. Children can also use a dry erase marker to write the number word and/or numeral on the lines.

Step 3: Children find the matching gumdrop ten-frame, candy cane tally marks and gingerbread house array 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 is at a different place with numbers. These gingerbread 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 gumdrop ten-frames
• Trace the number with a finger before building it with play dough
• Count each gumdrop or tally mark together, touching each one

For On-Level Practice

• Build each number with play dough and write the numeral
• Find all three matching cards for each mat
• Work through numbers 1-20 across the week

For an Extra Challenge

• Write the number word on every mat
• Sort all of the cards for several numbers at once
• Explain how the ten-frame, tally marks and array all show the same number
• Time a full sort and try to beat it the next day

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

• Christmas math centers
• Small groups
• Morning tubs
• Intervention
• Special education classrooms
• Homeschool preschool and kindergarten
• Early finishers

Standards

These gingerbread number recognition mats support the 2022 Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines and Virginia's Early Learning and Development Standards (2021), and they build toward kindergarten skills in Common Core, the TEKS (Math, adopted 2012) and the Virginia Math SOL (2023):

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 Gingerbread Number Recognition Mats and have a sweet Christmas number center ready in minutes. Print, laminate and watch children build, write and match numbers 1-20 with gumdrop ten-frames, candy cane tally marks and gingerbread house arrays. Add it to your cart today!

This activity is included in the Number Recognition Themed BUNDLE.

Download Details

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

• On the "thank you" page after checkout
• In your email
• Anytime from your account: https://lifeovercsstore.com/account