Quick, Easy & Fun Math Center

I was super inspired by this literacy center that I pinned a few days ago.  I decided to start with a simpler version to get my little ones used to the idea of sorting on a table.  Also, I have to admit that math is not exactly my favorite thing to teach.  One of my goals this year was to jazz up our math curriculum by adding fun new centers.  This is definitely a good first step!

Here is the original idea that I pinned

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Here is the math center that I created by simply taping number cards to the table with clear packing tape.  I love these cards because they have both the numeral and dots on a ten frame for immediate differentiation.  The best part was that it took about five minutes to set up the center!

 Math center before any little hands touched it.  I used wooden number cubes/beads that are usually untouched in the math center

Close up

 After it was all sorted :)

A close up of the numeral and ten frame card

Today we tried another version of the number sort.  We used magnet numbers and the kids liked sorting this way even better.  Probably because they are colorful, bigger, easier to manipulate and more fun!

Another idea I had was to use manipulatives and have children place the correct number of manipulatives next to each card.  It would be cute to use thematic manipulatives like little snowmen, marshmallows, hearts or whatever else you could dream up.  Of course I will eventually add more numbers once they get used to the idea of sorting.