Number Words and Color Words - Freebie!

When I first started teaching, we always taught number words and color words early on. Then, for a brief interval, I started to question why. How important was it to devote time and attention to these words? Why not focus on high frequency words and let kids just "pick them up" as we developed and taught from classroom reference charts?

Well, I rethought all that. (If you're a regular follower of this blog, you know I do a lot of rethinking... I prefer to think of it as learning and growing, instead of just stagnating! :)

First of all, color words and number words are prominently featured in written directions, whether you use worksheets, centers, or both. Why not give a bit of attention to teaching the words, to help our students become more independent?

Secondly, these words are an early opportunity to teach "looking beyond the first letter", and "check it with your finger. Does it look right?", both of which are important early reading behaviors.

Here is a free set of number word/color word make and trace cards. Your students will trace the words with wipe-off markers and use the correct color clay to fill in the circles. Tracing, rolling, smooshing, smashing ... all good stuff for small motor development!

I'd suggest printing your cards on cardstock and double laminating, since this kind of activity usually means a lot of wear-and-tear on the cards.

Click here to download your free make and trace cards!

These cards are a sample from Number Words and Color Words Sorting and Matching Activities, just posted at my TpT store.  I'd love it if you'd take a closer look - just click on the picture!





Got to go - streaks in the sky and big boomers!! Here comes another thunderstorm ... lately it's been our daily conclusion to another hot and humid day.

Happy Teaching!