Apple counting activities for numbers 1-20 that make fall math centers hands-on and fun! The Apple Theme Numbers 1-20 Counting Activities set gives preschool and kindergarten learners six low-prep activities with colorful apple trees, ten frames, clip cards and counting mats.

Children trace, write and show each number with play dough, mini erasers, counters or dry erase markers. Along the way they build number recognition, one-to-one correspondence and fine motor skills through play. A ten frame is a grid of ten boxes that helps children see and count numbers at a glance.

With this apple counting set, you get

• Six low-prep counting activities for numbers 1-20
• Color and black and white versions of every activity
• Ten frame, clip card and apple tree counting mat practice
• Fine motor work with play dough, clothespins and counters
• Easy options to differentiate for every learner

Laminate a set once and reuse it year after year.

What's Included

• Number Mats with Guided Ten Frames (1-20): Trace, write and show each number using play dough, mini erasers or dry erase markers.
• Number Mats with Blank Ten Frames (1-20): Children fill in their own ten frames to show the number.
• Independent Apple Tree Counting Mats (1-20): Children use counters to show the number on the apple tree.
• Apple Ten Frame Counting Cards (1-20): Trace, count and fill in each card.
• Apple Ten Frame Clip Cards: Self-checking clip cards where children use clothespins to choose the correct number.
• Roll, Write and Show Mat: Roll a die (regular or 20-sided), write the number and show it with counters or play dough.
• Number words and number-word tracing on the number mats and cards
• Color and black and white versions of each activity

Why Teachers Love It

• Six ways to practice: Mats, ten frames, clip cards and a dice game give children repeated counting practice in different formats.
• Easy to differentiate: Guided ten frames offer extra support, and blank ten frames give more of a challenge.
• Self-checking clip cards: Children can check their own answers and work more independently.
• Printer-friendly options: Black and white versions work for worksheets, interactive notebooks and take-home practice.
• Built to last: Laminate the color pages and use them season after season.
• Sub-friendly: A laminated set is easy for a guest teacher to use with little explanation.

Skills Students Practice

Primary Academic Skills

• Counting to 20: Children practice numbers 1-20 across mats, ten frames, clip cards and dice games.
• Number recognition: Children connect numerals, number words and quantities in every activity.
• One-to-one correspondence: Placing one counter or play dough apple for each number shows that each number stands for a specific amount.
• Ten frame practice: Filling in ten frames builds a strong foundation for place value and early addition.
• Number writing: Number mats encourage tracing and independent writing of numbers 1-20.
• Fine motor skills: Pinching play dough, clipping clothespins and placing small counters build hand strength and finger control.

Secondary Life & Learning Skills

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

How to Use It

Step 1: Print the color pages and laminate them for centers. Print the black and white pages for worksheets, interactive notebooks or take-home practice.

Step 2: Introduce the mats with the whole class. Roll a die as a group, write the number on the whiteboard and have each child show it on their apple counting mat.

Step 3: Place the number mats, clip cards and counting trees in different math centers. Rotate them weekly so the activities stay fresh.

Materials You'll Need

• Play dough, mini erasers, pom poms or other counters
• Dry erase markers
• Clothespins for the clip cards
• A regular die or a 20-sided die
• Laminating pouches and a laminator (for durability)

Easy Differentiation

Young learners count with very different levels of confidence. These activities make it easy to give each child the right amount of support.

For Children Who Need More Support

• Use the number mats with guided ten frames
• Begin with numbers 1-10 before moving to 11-20
• Count together while touching each counter
• Start with a few clip cards at a time

For On-Level Practice

• Fill in the blank ten frame mats independently
• Show each number on the apple tree counting mats
• Complete the ten frame counting cards and clip cards
• Play the roll, write and show game with a regular die

For an Extra Challenge

• Roll a 20-sided die on the roll, write and show mat
• Write each number and its number word without tracing
• Show the same number two ways, on a ten frame and on the apple tree
• Tell how many more counters are needed to fill the ten frame

For Speech, OT, ELL or Special Education Support

• Use the clothespin clip cards and play dough number mats in OT sessions
• Say each number and number word aloud together
• Offer larger counters such as pom poms for children building hand control
• Scaffold with guided ten frames and simple clip cards for beginners
• Give extra processing time and model each step first

Perfect For

• Math centers
• Small groups
• Whole class carpet time
• Intervention
• Special education classrooms
• OT and fine motor centers
• Apple and fall themes
• Substitute plans
• Homeschool
• Take-home practice

Standards

These apple counting activities support the 2022 Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines and Virginia's Early Learning and Development Standards (2021), plus kindergarten math standards 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 0-20 and represent a number of objects with a written numeral. The number mats and roll, write and show mat pair each written number with a set of counters.
• CCSS K.CC.B.4.a: Say number names in order while pairing each object with one number.
• CCSS K.CC.B.5: Count to answer "how many?" questions about as many as 20 things, and count out that many objects when given a number from 1-20.

Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines

• Texas Pre-K Guidelines PK4.V.A.2: Count up to 10 objects, touching one object for each number, as children place counters on ten frames and apple trees.
• Texas Pre-K Guidelines PK4.V.A.5: Recognize numerals 0-10 on the number mats and clip cards.
• Texas Pre-K Guidelines PK4.IX.B.1: Show control in tasks that take small-muscle strength, such as pinching clothespins and rolling play dough.

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.C: Count a set of objects and show that the last number said tells how many.

Virginia Early Learning and Development Standards

• Virginia ELDS CD3.1: Compare numbers, count and recognize quantities with ten frames and counting mats.
• Virginia ELDS HPD3.2: Develop small muscle control while clipping clothespins and placing small counters.

Virginia SOL

• VA SOL Math K.NS.1.a: Use one-to-one correspondence to find how many are in a set.
• VA SOL Math K.NS.1.c: Represent forward counting by ones with tools such as ten frames.
• VA SOL Math K.NS.2.a: Read, write and identify numerals, practiced here from 1-20.
• VA SOL Math K.NS.2.b: Build a set of objects that matches a given numeral, such as showing 14 counters on the apple tree mat.

Check out what other educators are saying:

★★★★★ Lori H. wrote, “A great resource!”

Add the Apple Theme Numbers 1-20 Counting Activities to your cart and have six hands-on counting activities ready for your fall math centers. Grab the play dough and counters and watch your learners build counting, number recognition and fine motor skills all the way to 20!

The Apple Theme Counting Activities are included in the 1-20 Counting Activities BUNDLE.

Download Details

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