Find the Missing Number Level 1 Numbers 1-10

You know you’re a great parent, but did you know you’ve been providing math instruction for your child since birth?! It’s called Peek-a-Boo! That’s right. Remember when hiding behind a blanket then revealing your face produced those first smiles, giggles and real engagement with your baby? Well, parent of the year, those early ‘watch me disappear’ games were truly paving the way for this Find the Missing Number activity!

Today, your Preschooler or Kindergartner isn’t likely to engage quite so actively in a game of peek-a-boo, but what they learned from those early activities was the important concept of object permanence: I can’t see mamma’s face but I know she’s still there.

Over the years, this translates mathematically to: I know there’s a number missing from this sequence, or I can see 8 blocks so I know there are 2 hiding in the cup for a total of 10.

Find the Missing Number Level 1 is designed to help young learners become fluent with sequencing numbers. Each slide contains three numbers. Students must fill in the missing number in the sequence by clicking and dragging the appropriate number into the empty box. The slideshow includes numbers 1-10.

Number Flexibility

Number flexibility is the ability to ‘see’ numbers in various ways. For example, the number 10 is actually 1 ten plus 1 one, or it is 8+2, or it is 10 less than 20. This concept becomes increasingly important as young mind’s learn about numbers by counting, skip counting, grouping, classifying, ordering numbers and more!

As students move on to more advanced math worksheets and concepts like addition, subtraction, fact families, and more, they gain a real sense of order and consistency when it comes to numbers.

Engaging young learners in missing numbers worksheets and games encourages number flexibility, or the ability to really see what numbers are made of and that they belong in a specific sequence.

How to Use Find the Missing Number Level 1 Numbers 1-10

Click on the link below. Then, choose which version you want: Google Slides or Seesaw. When you clink on the appropriate link, it will open in the appropriate app and you’re good to go.

Remember to make a copy of the Google Slides version so it is your very own editable copy. In Slides, just click on the number to highlight the box in blue and drag it when the cursor resembles a plus sign with an arrow on each end.

In Seesaw, use the Text tool (click on the large T) to be able to highlight each number to move it.

Adapt the Activity for Individual Learners

• Warm up sleepy brains with a quick round of practice counting forwards/backwards to ten, or by skip counting.
• Cater to auditory learners by asking the child to start counting the numbers at the top to first name the missing number. Then, direct them to find that number below.
• Provide appropriate scaffolding with number charts or manipulatives as appropriate.
• Challenge students to try starting with the last number and counting backwards to find the missing number.
• Print the slides to practice writing the missing numbers 1-10 in the boxes.

Get the Missing Number Activity Here