Happy Holidays! It’s almost December, and I could not be more excited. I just celebrated Thanksgiving with my family here in Baltimore, and I’m already looking into December! Before leaving school for Thanksgiving break, I realized I had no math centers for December! *cue panic* So, I sat down and created math centers for when we return! I’m really excited about these, as they cover many math topics. I hope you find some ideas you might use in your classroom! As always, I have links to this if you would like to purchase the math centers pack 🙂
Holiday Count the Room
First game in the pack is the Holiday Count the Room. This activity is differentiated–woohoo! Students can complete the numbers 1-10 portion, the numbers 11-20 portion, or the whole game covering numbers 1-20. It’s completely up to you as far as what your kids are ready for. This game targets one-to-one correspondence, and counting skills.
Holly Jolly Ten Frames
This game gives students the opportunity to practice numeral and number word writing. I printed these cards and laminated them for durability. These cards can be placed on a ring if you want the kids to flip through the cards easily. Typically, for these games the kids use dry erase markers. Pro tip: magic erasers remove dry erase markers like, well, magic! Worth a try. I cut up magic erasers into small erasers to spread the eraser love.
Comparing Numbers Snowmen
This is a fun, holiday/winter themed game. When I printed the game out, I kept the two snowmen attached! You’ll thank me later. The kids can use a paper clip and pencil (unless you are loaded with fancy spinners :). They spin one number on the first snowman, and another number on the second snowman. On the corresponding recording sheet, they write the two numbers, and the correct symbol in the snowman belly. The pictures will help this make a whole lot more sense 🙂 
What Number Comes Next?
In this game, the kids write the missing numbers on the light bulbs. This game is great for mentally ordering numbers, and counting on; both skills are essential for future math knowledge.
Shape Roll and Color
This game is a fun dice game! There are two versions of the shape cards–one with the shapes written underneath, and the other with simply the picture of the shape. Students roll a shape and color it on their recording sheet. This game helps reinforce shape knowledge.
Teen Number Count and Clip
This game covers the numbers 11-20. The kids count the objects on the card, and clip the correct number. As an extension, there is a corresponding recording sheet. This game reinforces one-to-one correspondence and counting skills.
Holiday Addition Write the Room
This is a fun addition write the room! The kids count each set of objects on the card, and add the sets. The recording sheet is extremely straight forward, especially helpful for those who struggle to correctly write an addition sentence.
Holiday Subtract the Room
This is a fun and interactive game to get the kids up and moving! The kids count the objects on the card, and subtract the objects with “x’s” on them. The game is very easy for the kids to pick up on and play correctly, and reinforces early addition and subtraction skills.
Teen Number Spin and Write
For this game, the kids spin a tallied teen number, and count the tallies. From there, they record the number on the recording sheet. The recording sheet is differentiated, including a tracing and non-tracing option.
Holiday Measure the Room
This game is a personal favorite! Each student gets a strip of yellow bows (there is a color and black and white version). They go around the room measuring the cards. I put a dot on the top left and bottom left corners of the pictures they are supposed to measure. I remind them to measure from dot to dot to teach correct measurement habits.
I hope these centers help you and your classroom! You can find December Math Centers here or by clicking the image at the top of this post.
Cheers and Happy Holidays!
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