Students all over are obsessed with Counting Stews and Brews™️. Who knew counting and sorting could be so much FUN! Students are ASKING to play counting stews over and over. They get SO excited when I bring out a new counting stew to match our learning theme.
Teachers love them because they are easy to prep, and the stew ingredients are easy to get and create. Introduce it once, and they can play it over and over because the only thing that changes is the theme. Check out my Counting Stews & Brews from my TPT store HERE. There are three small bundles (holidays, seasons, themes, and math concepts) and a Giant Counting Stews Bundle with ALL the counting stews.
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You will find all of these counting stew items on my Amazon list!
Now, let me tell you what all the excitement is about and answer any questions you might have
How to Play
It’s super simple and the same for every stew (no matter the theme). Students pick a card, identify each number, count out each ingredient, and place it in the pot. Once all three ingredients are in the pot, stir it up and sing the song! Then, take the items out of the pot and sort them in the tray.
This game is the SAME for each and every theme, which is perfect for little learners! Teach it once (or a few times, depending on how young your students are), and they will know how to play it all year long.
When to Play It
Small group is the PERFECT time to introduce and teach students how to play counting stews.
-First Step MODEL
-Pick a card, say the number, and count out each ingredient. This is an easy way to learn to count up to get to the total number of objects. I stir, sing the song, and sort the objects back onto the tray. I do this using private speech (I model talking through all the steps using super simple speech).
-Next, we make a few stews together using one pot. Students take turns counting out the items, stirring the stew, and sorting the items back into the tray.
-Last, I place the stew in the math center for students to play independently.
The Big Question….How Many Pots?
It’s totally up to you! Put out one pot, and students can work together to make stews OR put out 2-4 pots so each student can make their own stew during centers.
What Students are Learning
This is the IMPORTANT part, right? We want to intentionally plan play experiences where students are learning and practicing various skills and concepts.
Ways to Differentiate
Each stew has three levels of cards: cards with numbers 1-5, cards with numbers 1-10, and blank cards. If you laminate the blank cards, students can write numbers on the blank cards with a dry-erase marker.
>>Grab the FREEBIE by entering your email in the box at the bottom of this blog post!<<
Just added! NEW addition stew mats have been added for kinders and first graders to take their stews to a higher level! Students count out the items, place them on the math mat, and create a number sentence with a dry-erase marker. Then, they place the items in the pot, mix, and sort the items back into the tray.
Stew Trays
Use a sorting tray to hold the stew manipulatives. You can find colored trays (aka veggie trays, serving trays, or chip n dip trays) at the Dollar Tree or use these on Amazon.
Stew Pots (and Cauldrons)
The pots I use are from IKEA. This set is from Melissa & Doug or this set from Kidzaro on Amazon are similar. Use any pot you have on hand or check the dollar store. For brews, I use cauldrons. I found some at the Dollar Tree during Halloween. Use various items for all the different themed stews. During spring, I use flower pots for my Flower Stew and have students mix with a shovel!
Use one pot for students to share or put out many so each student has their own.
Stew Spoons
Use any spoons you have on hand or change it up sometimes, and use mini whisks or mini spatulas. For some stews, like the flower stew, you can even use shovels!
Stew Ingredients
Most stew ingredients can be found in your classroom, at the dollar store, or Target Dollar Spot. Each stew comes with an ingredient list full of suggestions and ways you can make each ingredient!
Stew Counters
Everyone always asks where I get the mini veggies and fruits, and they just can’t believe it when I tell them they are math counters! I have always been a bit obsessed with math counters because you can use them for so many themes and for so many math games and activities. These are the counters I use for my stews (you don’t have to buy these, but if you do, you will LOVE them):
Song
Yes, there is a song students can sing as they stir the stew! The tune of the song is Purple Stew. You can listen to it on YouTube HERE.
Stew Worksheets
Each stew set includes a worksheet. You can use them or not use them….up to you!
Stew Organization
There are tons of labels to help you organize your stews and brews. Place each stew printable in a page protector or gallon baggie. Keep in a tub or binder, and use a counting stew label for the front.
Also included are labels for each themed stew and brew. Tape the individual stew labels onto baggies, then place the ingredients inside. Keep counters or any manipulatives you use for other themes or stews on the math shelf. I put the Stew math mats at the back of the tub so I can quickly grab them when I need them.
Easy Counting Assessment
Observe students make stews during centers and small groups to assess their counting concepts and skills. Observe how many each student can count out independently and write it in your assessment book! Assessments don’t have to be boring! Just observe and document. Take a photo to place on a counting rubric for a quick and easy portfolio sample.
So Many Counting Stews!
When I first created these stews, I had no idea how much teachers and students would love them. Teachers reached out to me asking for MORE themed stews, so I kept adding more and more. There were so many that the bundle became huge, and I broke it up into smaller bundles so you can use a few if you want.
There are three small bundles Holiday Counting Stews, Seasons Counting Stews, Themes Counting Stews, and Math Concepts Counting Stews. If you want ALL the counting stews, you can grab the Giant Counting Stews Bundle with ALL the counting stews.
Teachers wanted Literacy Stews, so I made those, too, and they are just as much fun as Counting Stews! You can read all about Literacy Stews HERE.
Here are some of the counting stews in action!
What are teachers saying?
“So engaging for students! This is great! I love that you only have to introduce the activity once! The only thing that changes is the theme. Materials are very easy to get for the stews. Thank you for creating and sharing!”
“My class loves them. I am so happy I invested my money in this product. I now have a math center that only changes items, not the procedure. Thank you for creating this product.”
If you don’t already have them, you can grab the Counting Stews and Brews in my TPT store HERE!
If you have any other questions about stews, let me know so I can help! Here are a few in action (well, kinda, I’m the one playing the game).
Love counting stews as much as I do? Pin this image!
hey, i’m jackie!
I’m Jackie, your go-to girl for early childhood inspiration and research-based curriculum.
