Skip Counting Activity

Skip counting is a super important skill for younger learners. It’s one of the building blocks of math that will help them learn multiplication down the line. Plus, skip counting requires students to use mental math to figure out which number comes next.

But, it can feel a little repetitive. Okay, a lot repetitive! Without adding some spice and switching things up, both teachers and students can get bored quickly.

The thing is, kids learn better when they’re able to use their hands and visualize the order of the numbers. When I needed a good skip counting activity for my own students, I struggled to find one that was engaging, fun, and gave them the practice they needed.

So, I made my own! This Skip Counting Activity is such an engaging way to practice skip counting with your 1st or 2nd graders. The silly snake task cards will definitely put a smile on their faces!

How does the Skip Counting Activity work?

There are two main components of this activity: the recording sheets and the task cards. The recording sheets contain number lines where students can fill in the answers. The resource includes a different recording sheet for skip counting by 2, 5, and 10.

The task cards contain all of the numbers that go on the number line. To complete the activity, students organize their task cards and fill out their recording sheet! Once you explain the activity, it’s super simple for students to get the hang of, making it great for independent or group work.

What’s included in this resource?

The Skip Counting Activity resource comes with everything you need to get started! All you need to do is print, cut out the cards, and go. Lamination is optional!

Here is what the resource includes:

●       Pages with number lines for skip counting by 2, 5, and 10

●       Task cards with numbers

●       A blank set of task cards for differentiation, great for challenging advanced students!

●       A black and white version and a color version for multiple printing options

How can I use this Skip Counting Activity in my classroom?

I love that this skip counting activity is so versatile! You can use this resource in a few different ways in the classroom. If you need inspiration to incorporate this activity into your curriculum, here are a handful of my personal favorites:

●       Math centers — This skip counting activity is easy enough for kids to complete independently, making it great for math centers. Students can work alone, with a partner, or in a group to put their task cards in order and complete their number lines. Once kids know how the activity works they’re good to go, giving you the freedom to walk around and help other students.

●       Small groups — Small groups are a great way for students to build their math and teamwork skills. They work well as a morning warm up to ease students into a lesson with the whole class. I also love small groups because you can tailor each group to your students’ needs and use differentiated activities. This skip counting activity is a great addition to your roster of small group ideas!

●       Scoot game — Have you ever played a scoot game with your class! To turn this skip counting activity into a scoot game, place the task cards all around your classroom. Students can “scoot” around the room and fill out their number lines as they go! This version will get kids moving while giving them valuable skip counting practice.

●       Individual activity — Prefer to give independent work? Print out a copy of the activity for each student. Then, they can cut out their own task cards and put them in order. This idea adds another layer to the resource by letting them create their own set. They can even color the task cards and number line pages!

Tips for using this resource

●       Laminate — Personally, I laminated my skip counting game and task cards. It helps me reuse the game for years and protect it from accidents in the classroom. Laminating your set will also save paper and save you the effort of reprinting and preparing the puzzle for future classes.

●       Multiple printing options — To make things easier for you, I’ve included multiple printing options with this resource. Just choose the one that works best for you! Printing in black and white is great if you want to skip the color ink or let your students color in the activity. You can also print the full colored version to make it look pretty. Another option is to print on colored paper. This is a great way to incorporate bright, fun colors without using colored ink!

Conclusion

Skip counting is an important math skill for 1st and 2nd graders, but it can get pretty boring. This Skip Counting Activity makes it fun and engaging! Students organize their task cards and fill out their recording sheets. It’s great for centers, small groups, and scoot games!

How do you practice skip counting in your classroom?