I made these bug jar mats to go with the bug math manipulatives
Sort by Color:
Sort by Type of Bug:
Counting Bugs:
While I realize not everyone will have these particular bug manipulatives, I figured it was better to share them than not. Also, I think that even if you do not have these bugs, you will at least be able to use the set of counting mats with any little plastic toy bugs or craft foam bugs. With the counting mats, you could also print and copy these, and have children either add the correct amount of bug stickers or draw the correct amount of bugs on them. You might even make a counting book. If you have a unique way to use these mats, add your own ideas in the comments area below.
I know people will ask, so if you are interested in getting a set of these bug manipulatives, they are made by Learning Resources and I have seen them for sale at Amazon.com
There are three sets of Bug Jar Mats: Sorting by Color, Sorting by Type of Bug, and Counting. Click the thumbnails below to access the PDFs. If you have any problems with the PDFs, make sure you have the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer. You might need to update it.
Bug Color Sort
Bug Type Sort
Bug Counting
About Karen Cox
Discount school supply has twice as many for only a few dollars more:) These are great mats. Thanks!
http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?product=27765&keyword=counters&scategoryid=0&CategorySearch=&Brand=&Price=
Trisha, thanks for the link, but others should note that the bugs at Discount School Supply are NOT quite the same & will not go with the mats for “Sorting Bugs by Type”. They would work with the other two mats.
I have those same bugs! Thanks for posting this!
Great mats, my preschool kids will love them.
I have those bugs too! I love these!
Thanks. You gave me an idea of something similar. my theme is on dogs. I have the dog counters and have made dog houses to go with it. Different roof colors for sorting by color and will also sort by type and by quantity. love it. will post it soon and will link you for my idea. thanks again.
I just wanted to tell you how much I LOVE all your ideas. I have recently returned to teaching preschool after years in elementary
and you are my #1 goto site for new and creative ideas!! I so appreciate you !!!!
Thanks so much, everyone!
I have these exact bugs and will be using your mats this week at Mommy and Me! Thanks so much!
I’m getting ready to do a lesson on bugs and this is a great addition to my set of activities. Thanks!
This Idea is great. I have these bugs in my classroom. This activity will be a great add on to my bug resources kit. Thank you so very much.
Glad you like it, Connie!
This is a fun and educational activity for my preschooler to do at home!
Glad you like it, Renee!
This is a great set of printables! I’ve included them in my weekly Do Something! post. Hope you can stop by and check it out.
I shared these with my 2+ year old granddaughter when we visited last week. She loves them! First I introduced the bugs and we spoke about the colors. Another day we sorted by color. Her mother and father will do sorting by type of bug etc later. I got great photos of her too.
Thank you!
Thanks, glad you & your granddaughter enjoyed it!
I have these bugs too…I also bought the patterning cards sold for them. These are so cute…thanks for sharing them:))
Thanks Cherine! Glad you can use them!
Thanks for the ideas. My classroom has very limited resources that I can relate to certain themes and into center areas especially in the manipulative and science areas, thanks so much.
Looking forward to more of your ideas.
Thanks, Renee! Glad these are helpful! I enjoy making the games.
I was just wondering if you had a link to the clip art you used to create your mats. I love the idea and would like to convert it into a busy bag using paper bugs. (The plastic are adorable but just too expensive when making 12!) I thought it would be best if the paper bugs matched the bugs pictured on the jars. Thank you!
Hi! The clipart came from clipart.com. I have small set of the plastic bugs and 22 students, but it works well because I use it with small groups or center time. Thanks for visiting!
cool!!
Thanks for sharing. I work with students with moderate disabilities. This will be a great prevocational skill job for them
Thanks so much for the inspiration and freebies Karen! My kiddos had a blast with the pattern block mats. I also adapted your sensory table idea for my kiddos- it’s on my blog if you want to check it out. Have a great weekend!
~Jessica
Fun in PreK-1
I love your printables about bug counting and sorting! I just printed them out and will be laminating them soon for durability and I know my children will love it! It so happen that I have the kind of bugs that you said I should get!
Thanks Karen!