Lesson Plan
Write Numbers 1–20
Students will practice and master writing numbers 1–20 with correct formation through hands-on, multi-sensory activities, aiming for legible number writing by year-end.
Number formation builds fine motor control and numeric confidence. Multi-sensory practice supports diverse learners and accelerates those needing extra support.
Audience
Kindergarten
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Engaging station rotations with tracing, tactile writing, and play-dough forming
Materials
- Number Tracing Worksheets, - Sensory Sand Tray Cards, - Play-Doh Number Mats, - Dry Erase Boards, - Dry Erase Markers, - Erasers, and - Sticker Reward Chart
Prep
Materials Setup
10 minutes
- Print one copy per student of Number Tracing Worksheets.
- Print and laminate Sensory Sand Tray Cards; fill small trays with sand.
- Print and laminate Play-Doh Number Mats; provide Play-Doh.
- Gather dry erase boards, markers, erasers, and sticker reward charts.
Step 1
Warm-Up Demonstration
5 minutes
- Gather students at the whiteboard.
- Teacher models proper stroke order for numbers 1–10, then 11–20.
- Emphasize starting points and arrow directions.
- Invite two volunteers to try numbers 1 and 2 on the board; offer corrective prompts.
Step 2
Station Rotations
20 minutes
- Divide class into three groups; assign each to a station for 5 minutes, then rotate.
Station A: Tracing
- Students use Number Tracing Worksheets and dry erase markers to trace each number twice.
Station B: Sand Writing
- Students recreate numbers in sand trays using sensory cards as guides.
- Encourage ‘sky, down, around’ verbal cues for formations.
Station C: Play-Doh Mats
- Students form each number shape with Play-Doh on number mats.
- Focus on correct proportions and bends.
Step 3
Reflection & Quick Assessment
5 minutes
- Return to carpet; distribute dry erase boards.
- Ask students to write numbers 1–5 independently.
- Hold up boards; teacher gives immediate positive feedback and checks for legibility.
- Award stickers on the reward chart for effort and correct forms.
Slide Deck
Number Ninjas: Writing 1–20
Objective:
• Practice correct stroke order and formation for numbers 1–20.
• Build fine motor control through multi-sensory activities.
• Achieve legible number writing by the end of our session.
Welcome students and introduce the lesson.
Say: "Today, we are becoming Number Ninjas! Our mission is to write numbers 1 through 20 with precision and confidence. Let’s see our goal!"
Why It Matters
• Fine motor skills support all handwriting.
• Accurate formation builds number confidence.
• Multi-sensory practice helps every learner succeed.
Emphasize why correct formation matters.
Say: "Good number writing helps us show our math thinking clearly and makes us strong mathematicians!"
Warm-Up Demonstration
- Gather at the board.
- Teacher models numbers in order: 1 → 10, then 11 → 20.
- Use verbal cues: “Sky, down, around.”
- Invite two helpers to write numbers 1 and 2.
Model writing numbers 1–10, then 11–20. Use a whiteboard or document camera. Use slow, exaggerated strokes and verbal cues.
Stroke Cues: Sky, Down, Around
• Sky: start at the top and move up or out.
• Down: draw a straight line down.
• Around: curve in a circle when needed.
(Use arrows to show each step for number 2 and number 6)
Explain the “sky, down, around” method with a visual diagram. Point to each arrow when speaking.
Station Rotations (20 minutes)
Group 1 → Station A: Tracing
Group 2 → Station B: Sand Writing
Group 3 → Station C: Play-Doh Mats
Rotate every 5 minutes until all groups visit each station.
Describe station routines and timing. Display a timer on screen.
Station A: Tracing
• Use a dry erase marker on tracing worksheets.
• Trace each number twice, following arrows.
• Erase and repeat if needed for smooth strokes.
Explain Station A. Show a sample tracing worksheet. Encourage neatness.
Station B: Sand Writing
• Use sensory cards as guides.
• Recreate each number in the sand tray.
• Say “sky, down, around” aloud as you write.
Explain Station B. Demonstrate writing in sand with a pointer finger.
Station C: Play-Doh Mats
• Form each number shape with Play-Doh.
• Focus on length, curves, and corners.
• Compare to the printed number on the mat.
Explain Station C. Show a Play-Doh mat and sample shapes.
Reflection & Quick Assessment
- Return to carpet; hand out dry erase boards.
- Write numbers 1–5 independently.
- Hold up boards for instant feedback.
- Award stickers for effort and correct form.
Bring students back and manage assessment. Keep feedback positive and quick.
Wrap-Up & Celebration
• Review your favorite station.
• Share one new thing you learned.
• Keep practicing “sky, down, around.”
Celebrate student progress and set next steps.
Say: "Great job, Ninjas! Keep practicing these steps at home and during free time. See you next time!"
Worksheet
Number Tracing Worksheet 1–20
Practice tracing each number by following the arrows. Then write the number on your own in the space provided.
Trace and Write
-
Trace: 1 1 1 1
Write: ________ -
Trace: 2 2 2 2
Write: ________ -
Trace: 3 3 3 3
Write: ________ -
Trace: 4 4 4 4
Write: ________ -
Trace: 5 5 5 5
Write: ________ -
Trace: 6 6 6 6
Write: ________ -
Trace: 7 7 7 7
Write: ________ -
Trace: 8 8 8 8
Write: ________ -
Trace: 9 9 9 9
Write: ________ -
Trace: 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0
Write: ________
-
Trace: 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Write: ________ -
Trace: 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2
Write: ________ -
Trace: 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3
Write: ________ -
Trace: 1 4 1 4 1 4 1 4
Write: ________ -
Trace: 1 5 1 5 1 5 1 5
Write: ________ -
Trace: 1 6 1 6 1 6 1 6
Write: ________ -
Trace: 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7
Write: ________ -
Trace: 1 8 1 8 1 8 1 8
Write: ________ -
Trace: 1 9 1 9 1 9 1 9
Write: ________ -
Trace: 2 0 2 0 2 0 2 0
Write: ________
Keep practicing at home to become a Number Ninja! 🎉
Activity
Station Rotations Directions
Use these direction cards to guide each group through the three stations. Enlist a teacher’s aide or parent volunteer per station to keep students on task, reinforce proper stroke cues (“sky, down, around”), and provide immediate feedback.
Setup & Grouping
- Before students arrive, place station signs (A, B, C) on three tables.
- Divide students into three balanced groups (e.g., by desk rows or counting off 1–3).
- Provide each helper with a copy of these directions and timing cues.
- Keep a visible timer or stopwatch at the teacher’s station.
Rotation Schedule (20 minutes total)
- 0:00 – 5:00 → Group 1 at Station A | Group 2 at Station B | Group 3 at Station C
- 5:00 – 10:00 → Rotate clockwise: A→B→C→A
- 10:00–15:00 → Second rotation
- 15:00–20:00 → Third rotation
- Play a soft chime or say “Ninja Freeze” to signal transitions.
Station A: Tracing
Materials:
- Number Tracing Worksheets
- Dry erase markers & erasers
Directions for Helper:
- Greet the group and distribute one worksheet and marker per student.
- Model tracing the number 1 twice, using arrow prompts.
- Remind students: “Start at the sky, go down, and around (if needed).”
- Circulate, correct grip or start-point errors, praise smooth strokes.
- After tracing the entire sheet (1–20), ask each student to erase and trace again before time’s up.
- Give a quick thumbs-up or “hero” sticker for neat work.
Prompt Questions:
- “Show me where your pencil starts.”
- “Can you trace number 8 with one smooth motion?”
Station B: Sand Writing
Materials:
- Sensory Sand Tray Cards
- Small sand trays or shallow boxes
Directions for Helper:
- Seat students around the tray; hand out one sensory card per student.
- Demonstrate writing the number in sand with your index finger: “sky, down, around.”
- Encourage students to say the cues aloud as they write.
- Observe and guide: if a student misses a stroke, prompt them gently to start over.
- After each number, rotate the cards so every student practices different numbers.
- Praise students who verbalize the correct stroke steps.
Prompt Questions:
- “Which way does your finger go first?”
- “Can you make your number round at the bottom?”
Station C: Play-Doh Mats
Materials:
- Play-Doh Number Mats
- Small Play-Doh portions (different colors optional)
Directions for Helper:
- Give each student a Play-Doh mat and piece of dough.
- Model rolling a snake of Play-Doh and bending it into the shape of the number 1.
- Remind: “Keep your dough long and straight for 1; bend into a circle for 6.”
- Circulate, helping students adjust curves or angles for each number.
- Invite students to name each number they create.
- Collect mats at the end; set them aside to dry or reuse.
Prompt Questions:
- “How long should your Play-Doh snake be?”
- “Does your number have a bend or a straight line?”
Transition Tips & Management
- Use a fun call-and-response: “Number Ninjas, freeze!” → “Rotate, please!”
- Give students 30-second warnings before each rotation.
- Encourage helpers to keep energy high and celebrate small wins.
With clear roles and supportive prompts, each student will get targeted practice and build confidence writing numbers 1–20!
Worksheet
Sensory Sand Tray Cards 1–20
Print one card per page (landscape or portrait) at large size. Each card displays a big numeral outline for students to trace in a sand tray with their finger, using the “sky, down, around” stroke cues.
Card 1
1
Card 2
2
Card 3
3
Card 4
4
Card 5
5
Card 6
6
Card 7
7
Card 8
8
Card 9
9
Card 10
10
Card 11
11
Card 12
12
Card 13
13
Card 14
14
Card 15
15
Card 16
16
Card 17
17
Card 18
18
Card 19
19
Card 20
20
Worksheet
Play-Doh Number Mats 1–20
Roll a thin “snake” of Play-Doh and place it along the bold outline of each number. Focus on making smooth curves and straight lines. Use different colors to make your mats bright and fun!
Mat 1
1
Mat 2
2
Mat 3
3
Mat 4
4
Mat 5
5
Mat 6
6
Mat 7
7
Mat 8
8
Mat 9
9
Mat 10
10
Mat 11
11
Mat 12
12
Mat 13
13
Mat 14
14
Mat 15
15
Mat 16
16
Mat 17
17
Mat 18
18
Mat 19
19
Mat 20
20
Keep your Play-Doh snakes smooth and neat to match each outline. Great job crafting your Number Ninja mats!