How I Teach Numbers 1–20 to ELL Students

 Teaching numbers from 1 to 20 to English Language Learners is more than just counting. For ELL students, numbers must be taught through visual support, repetition, hands-on practice, and meaningful language use. Over the years, I’ve found that a structured, multi-step approach helps students truly understand numbers by reviewing them along the school year in each unit possible.

1.   Start with Visual Number Recognition

I always begin with clear, visual number flashcards that show:

The numeral, A matching quantity, The number Word

This helps students connect what the number looks like, how it sounds, and what it represents. We practice by:

·         Pointing to numbers as we say them

·         Matching numerals to quantities

This step is essential for ELLs because it builds vocabulary and confidence before moving into worksheets or games.

2.    Move to Hands-On Small Cards

Once students recognize the numbers, we practice with hands-on counting

activities, among others:

·         memory

·         Order in Number sequence and writing activities

·         Bingo

 3.   Use Worksheets for Independent Practice

After plenty of oral and hands-on practice, students are ready for worksheets. I use them to review with students:

·         Listen and color the number 1 to 20 and then fill in the blank

·         Read and color following the code.

·         Match numerals, words, and writing the number.

Because students already understand the concepts, worksheets become reinforcement, not a struggle.

4.   Reinforce Learning with Games

Games are one of the most effective ways to review numbers 1–20.

I include:

·         Simple board games

·         Matching games

·         Coloring with the cards

Games allow students to repeat numbers naturally, practice classroom language (“My turn,” “I got number 10”), stay engaged while reviewing key skills.

Why You should Use the Numbers 1–20 Bundle

To make teaching easier and more consistent,  that includes:

·         Visual flashcards

·         Hands-on games

·         Worksheets for guided and independent practice

·         Teaching tips

Everything is designed to be ELL-friendly, low-prep, and flexible, so teachers can use the materials for whole group, small groups, centers, or intervention.

👉 You can find the Numbers 1–20 for Elementary ELLs bundle here at my   TPT STORE:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Numbers-120-ELL-BUNDLE-Math-Centers-Games-Counting-Recognition-Writing-14393741

Final Tip for Teachers

When teaching numbers to ELL students, remember:
✔️ Start visual with your flashcards
✔️ Add movement and hands-on with the small cards
✔️ Use Worksheets for practice
✔️ Reinforce with games for production
This approach builds real understanding, not just memorization—and it helps students feel successful from the start.

Visit my blog for preschool teachers here: EFL Preschool Teachers Blog. You'll find practical activities, tips, and resources designed to make learning fun and effective for little ones!

 

Christmas Snowglobes Numbers 1–20 Activity Pack

 This resource is included in the complete resource, ready to download:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Weather-Flashcards-for-Elementary-ESL-EFL-3664474

This resource provides hands-on activities that support number recognition, reading number words, and sequencing. For teachers, it offers ready-to-use, low-prep materials that can be used across centers, small groups, and whole-class lessons. For students, the visual themes and interactive tasks, reinforce essential math concepts in a meaningful way.

Flashcard Activities & Games: Use these for repeated, hands-on exposure in a playful and non-threatening way.

 Snowglobe Hunt & Count (Movement Game). Hide the snowglobe flashcards around the room. Students walk with mini number collectors (printable sheet with a blank snowglobe). When they find a card, they: Say the number out loud and then, write the number in the snowglobe printable. Give the students a Time challenge — find numbers 1–20 in 2 minutes.

Students will place the flashcards in number order on the board.

The small cards are a flexible and essential tool for any lesson plan focused on numbers 1–20. They’re easy to reuse for centers, fast finishers, and teacher-led reviews—making them a practical and versatile resource.

 Snowglobe Number Build & Write Activity.  For this winter math center, students choose a Snowglobe Number card, use foam letters to build the number word, and then write it on their recording sheet. It’s perfect for literacy + math integration.

 Snowglobe Number SequencingThe teacher calls out a short number sequence (like 15, 16, 17, 18), and students search for the matching snowglobe cards, then work together to place them in the correct order on the table. It’s perfect for visual learners.

Cut the number word out of the card and have students play match.

 The worksheets in this resource provide structured, purposeful practice that reinforces the skills introduced during hands-on activities.

Follow the Code on the Snowglobe Number worksheet.  These help students build number recognition 1 to 20 and color word skills. Students follow the color code to color the snowballs correctly. It’s a great independent activity.

Listen and Color the Snowglobe Number worksheet. This interactive winter worksheet combines number recognition with listening skills! As the teacher calls out colors for each number (e.g., “Color number 12 yellow”), students find and color each number inside the snowglobe accordingly. It’s perfect for whole group instruction.

Match the Number Words Worksheet.  Learners draw lines to match each snowglobe’s numeral to the correct written word, strengthening both literacy and math skills in a holiday-themed format.

Write the Number Word Worksheet. This handwriting practice worksheet invites students to write number words for numerals 10 through 20.

Complete the Number Sequence Worksheet. Learners reinforce numbers 1 to 20 sequencing.

 These games and activities are flexible for centers, small groups, or whole-class use, and they support multiple learning styles—visual, kinesthetic, auditory.

Christmas Numbers Board Game. This game is a fun way for students to practice number recognition. With playful twists like “Miss a Turn” and “Go Back One Space,” learners stay engaged while reinforcing early math skills.

In the matching mats activity, students reinforce number and word association by placing number cards and snow globe illustrations on a matching mat.

Glue the colored template onto a toilet paper roll to make it stand.  Give the students the words in snowballs to match in a hands-on way to reinforce word reading.

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Counting Vehicles 1 to 20 | ESL Number Words, Numerals, & Quantity Activities

 This resource that connects math + vocabulary and ties into this larger unit  is included in the Transportation theme for Elementary ESL at this link: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Transportation-Unit-for-Elementary-ESL-4049752

The resource helps students review essential transportation-related words (e.g., bus, car,) to improve their vocabulary. The topic allows integration with math such as counting vehicles with multiple kinds of activities.

The ESL Numbers Flashcards are a versatile teaching tool to be used in various activities as seen below.

Counting practice using the flashcards. Show a flashcard with vehicles on a road. Ask: “How many cars are there?” Students count and answer: “There are three cars.”  This builds confidence in forming complete sentences.

Place any quantity flashcard and have the students count how many of each vehicle they can count.

Show a flashcard with several vehicles of different colors. Have students make sentences: “The mail truck is white.”

Review Adjectives with Flashcards. Show transportation flashcards and ask students to sort them: The limousine is big!

Practice adjectives related to transportation. Review the comparatives (faster, slower, bigger, smaller).

Flashcard Comparison: Hold up two flashcards and ask students to compare them using comparatives.

Students can practice prepositions of place such as: in front of, behind, next to, between and use them in complete sentences like: The white limousine is behind the red car.

Where’s the Vehicle? Practice prepositions (on, under, next to).

Flashcard Grammar Activity: “I like… but I don’t like…”

Students practice asking and answering questions about transportation using the correct structure and preposition “by.”

Small Cards

Labeling helps EFL students expand their vocabulary. This is especially important because vocabulary is the building block of language proficiency.

Students match the quantity small cards with the corresponding numeral flashcards, reinforcing number recognition from 1 to 20.

Transportation Bingo. Give students a bingo grid to write any number from 1 to 20. Call out the names of vehicles using the small cards. Students mark or cover the matching number.

transportation vehicles count to 20 ESL worksheet

In this interactive activity, students color the vehicles according to how you dictate, then cut them out and fold the flap provided to glue them onto the road worksheet. Students can decide how many vehicles to place and where to position them on the road. After creating their road scene, they write a short description using complete sentences. They describe the vehicles, their colors, their locations using prepositions, and add adjectives to make their sentences more descriptive.

Assemble like this!

 Read and Color the Vehicles worksheet where they read a phrase and color each vehicle according to the text.

Matching exercises Worksheet: Match transportation words to pictures.

Labeling activities Worksheets: Students label vehicles and the number on these two worksheets.

Games

A board game with four paths to encourage speaking. Players talk during the game using full sentences like “This is number twelve!”. Use the it as review.

Matching mats give students a clear visual framework to sort and match different representations of numbers.

Students color the vehicles on their worksheet according to the number they spin on the spinner. They must count and color the correct quantity based on the spinner result. Use it to practice number recognition (1–20)

Printable airplane prepositions ESL activities — fun worksheets, flashcards, and games to teach location words like in, on, under, beside to elementary English learners, all in the complete transportation unit. Take a look!

  https://eflelementaryresources.blogspot.com/2025/11/airplane-prepositions-activities-eslefl.html

Visit my blog for preschool teachers here: EFL Preschool Teachers Blog. You'll find practical activities, tips, and resources designed to make learning fun and effective for little ones!