Counting 1–20 cows | Numbers Activities for Elementary ELLs

 This resource is included here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Farm-Unit-for-Elementary-EFL-3790548

The Counting Cows 1 to 20 resource can be used to support math and language development. This resource perfect for math centers, ESL lessons, or thematic farm units.

These Counting Cows 1 to 20 flashcards are designed to help elementary English language learners build number recognition, counting skills, and English vocabulary through a farm-themed visual experience.  Each card helps students make the connection between numerals, quantities, and number words.

Cow Line-Up Numbers with flashcards: Give each student a flashcard and have them line up in numerical order from 1 to 20. Then, mix up the cards and have them fix the sequence again.

 Find My Match:
Cut the word out of the flashcards and have one with numerals and another with cows. Hand in the parts randomly in to your students. They will walk around the room to find their matching pair (for example, the “15” card finds the cow image with fifteen grass pieces).

Games with the Small Counting Cow Cards. These smaller cards are ideal for hands-on games, centers, and pair work. Their compact size makes them perfect for tabletop activities.

Number Bingo. Use the printable blank bingo grid. Students write any number from 1 to 20 on each space. The teacher calls a number, and students cross it out. The first to fill a row or column shouts, “Moo Bingo!”. Have the save the grid and use it to play at any time during the unit.

I used the small counting cow cards along with fun foam letters and numbers for a hands-on writing activity. Students built and wrote number words and numeral.  This activity helps children strengthen spelling, number recognition.

Students look at the small counting cow cards and write the numbers words and numeral with a pencil on their paper.

Match the Cows and Numbers small cards. Students count the grass on each cow card and find the matching number. This simple hands-on activity helps students connect quantity with numerals, strengthens counting and reinforces number recognition in English. It’s also great for pair or small-group work, encouraging communication and cooperative learning.

Students start by coloring the numbers on each grass piece in the first worksheet. Then, they complete the answer worksheet by writing the color words that match each number. These worksheets help students connect numbers, colors, and words.

Read and Color the Grass worksheet set. Students read simple sentences and color the pieces of grass according to the instructions.

Complete the Number Sequence worksheet where students fill in the missing number words and numerals to complete each sequence. Completing number sequences helps students develop number sense and understand numerical order. It also builds logical thinking, pattern recognition, and counting fluency.

In this worksheet, students match each numeral to its number word and then color the spaces as directed by the teacher.

In this worksheet, students unscramble the mixed-up letters to form the correct number words. This activity strengthens spelling, word recognition, and problem-solving skills.

Number Matching Games where students connect the numeral, number word, and quantity shown on the cards. The interactive format keeps learners engaged while reinforcing both math and English language skills through play.

Use the game board with four different paths. When students land on a square, they say the number and using any of the cards available, match it to the quantity cow card. The students with the most cards wins.

This is another game. Students write the number words using the letters and teen words tiles available.

The prepositions for the farm unit is included in thsi resource:   https://eflelementaryresources.blogspot.com/2025/09/farm-prepositions-of-place-activities.html

Please check my Pinterest board to find more ideas and resources for the farm unit.

https://www.pinterest.com/ei98srl/esl-animals-unit/farm-animals/

I made my covers using Creative Fabrica, here is my affliate link:    https://www.creativefabrica.com/product/pastel-seamless-cow-pattern-digital-pape/ref/2670802/?sharedfrom=pdp

Halloween Witch Actions – Present Continuous Grammar for ELLs

 This resource is found here:   https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Present-Continuous-for-Elementary-ESL-4403402

In this Halloween theme they see a witch flying, cooking, or dancing, which helps them understand what is happening right now — the core meaning of the present continuous.

TPR Activity with the flashcards: What Is the Witch Doing? Students respond physically and verbally to the witch flashcards to understand and use present continuous actions. Show a flashcard and say the sentence clearly: “The witch is walking.”
Mime the action as you say it. Have students repeat the sentence and copy your movement.

Students can easily describe what the witch is doing on the flashcards: “She is flying.”
The repetitive sentence pattern helps beginners gain fluency and confidence.

What Is the Witch Doing? – Present Continuous & Collocations. Students practice the present continuous tense while learning common collocations (verb + noun phrases) in context. Strengthens sentence building.

Put a flashcard and have the students give you more collocations for just one action.

Students learn to ask and answer questions in the present continuous tense using Halloween-themed actions. Show a flashcard and ask: “What is the witch doing?” Model the answer slowly, emphasizing She is + verb-ing + object.

The Witch Action Grid – Make and Write Sentences. Students practice forming and writing present continuous sentences by picking a flashcard in a grid.

Categorize the Verbs (Spelling Rules). Display your witch flashcards and the base form of each verb underneath (fly, call, carry…).
Have students observe and classify them according to the spelling change.

Small cards for talking about activities. Connect grammar to writing and creativity. Students choose a small card and write a sentence about it.

Write about what the witch is doing in affirmative, and in negative sentence based on any card.

Write Yes/no questions and suggestions with Let’s!

Students practice writing short descriptive sentences using clothing vocabulary and the present continuous tense.

Speaking Chain. Practice fluency in question-answer patterns. One student picks a card and asks: “What is the witch doing?”  The next student answers: “She is drinking.”
Then takes a new card and continues the chain.

Cut-and-match games build word recognition. Cut the words out the card and play match.

Worksheet 1. Match sentences to the correct witch picture by coloring the frame and sentence in the same color.

Worksheet 2. Answer the question: What are you doing?

Worksheet 3. draw a line from the word to the matching picture, after completing the verb with the missing vowel.

Worksheet 4. Match the verb to the picture.

Worksheet 5. Complete all the verbs and use it as pictionary.

Worksheet 6. Complete the Sentence with the verb.

Sentence Association Game: What Is the Witch Doing?

Students match the witch picture, and the sentence to practice the present continuous tense. Students can work in pairs to match all actions.

Flip Activity: What Is the Witch Doing? They’ll write sentences describing what the witch is doing, then lift the flap to write. Print the template, cut to glue the writing part under the witch images strip. Students lift the flap to check their sentences.

There is a printable book activity included in this resource:   https://eflelementaryresources.blogspot.com/2024/08/present-continuous-book-for-elementary.html

Find more ideas, tips, and free resources for teaching English to preschool and kindergarten learners.  Come follow me on Facebook! Clock here:

👉 ESL Preschool Teachers Facebook Page

Made the covers using Creative Fabrica, here is my affliate link:    https://www.creativefabrica.com/product/cute-witch-digital-paper-halloween/ref/2670802/?sharedfrom=pdp

Halloween Skeleton Body Parts Activities for Elementary ELLs

 This resource is included in the Body Unit for Elementary ESL. Link: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Body-Theme-for-Elementary-ELL-1836555

The Halloween skeleton adds a playful, spooky twist to the traditional body unit, keeping students motivated and excited to review words like head, arm, leg, foot, hand, and ribs.

The teacher places a skeleton flashcard on the board. Students come up one by one to label the body parts using word cards, sticky notes, or by writing directly on the board with markers. This promotes whole-class participation.

Students label the parts of the skeleton directly on a flashcard placed inside a clear plastic sheet using whiteboard markers. They can write the words for head, arms, legs, feet, ribs, bones, and pelvis, then erase and repeat for practice. Students engage with the vocabulary by writing it themselves, reinforcing spelling and word recognition.

Students sort the skeleton body part flashcards into two groups — left and right. For example, they place left arm, left leg, left hand on one side, and right arm, right leg, right hand on the other. This can be done on the board, in a pocket chart, or on their desks as a group or partner activity.

Students use the skeleton flashcard to count how many of each part the skeleton has. For example:  The skeleton has one head./ The skeleton has two arms./ The skeleton has three fingers.

The small cards can be used for forming simple sentences (e.g., The skeleton has two legs. / This is the skeleton’s head.), allowing students to practice speaking.

As a speaking activity: 

Cut out the word from each small card and then match it to the correct picture. This will strengthen their reading comprehension and vocabulary recall.

Students use the small skeleton body part cards to write simple sentences such as: This is the skeleton’s hand./ This is the skeleton’s leg./ This is the skeleton’s head.  They can write the sentences on paper, mini whiteboards, or in their notebooks after choosing or drawing a card.

Label the Skeleton Worksheet. Students write the correct word next to each body part.

Read and Color the Skeleton Worksheet. Students read simple descriptive sentences about the skeleton and color each body part accordingly.

Students look at pictures of the skeleton’s body parts on a worksheet and draw lines to match each picture with the correct word.

Students can complete this worksheet on their own, making it ideal for assessment, centers, or homework.

  This craft-style activity perfectly combines art, language, and kinesthetic learning. Students build their own skeleton craft by gluing the body part cutouts onto a frame made with chenille stems (pipe cleaners).

They color each piece, assemble the skeleton, and glue or tape it onto construction paper. Once their skeletons are complete, students describe their creations to the class using full sentences, such as:  This is my skeleton./  It has two arms and two legs. / The skeleton’s head is gray.

 

Here I am with my description:

Students match each word to the correct skeleton body part by connecting or assembling puzzle pieces. Each piece includes a word and a corresponding picture of that part on the skeleton. Matching words to pictures helps ELLs connect spoken and written English naturally, reinforcing comprehension through a hands-on activity.

Would you like to check the Monster's Body resource added here:     https://eflelementaryresources.blogspot.com/2025/06/monsters-and-body-parts-fun-and-hands.html

Find more creative ideas and engaging resources for teaching young learners by visiting 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!