Ocean themed math activities for preschoolers and kindergarteners are awesome. I love engaging kids by exploring parts of our world that might be new to them. Learning addition facts to 10 is an important part of early math curricula, and you probably know how much practice it takes to gain fluency with those addition math facts. I think the best ways to practice are with kindergarten addition games and hands-on activities that make learning fun. I’ve created these Free Ocean Theme Puzzles for Making 10 for kids to work on addition facts without numbers. It’s an interesting, colorful introduction to addition your kids will love!
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Ocean Math Activities for Preschool and Kindergarten
OCEAN THEMED addition to 10 games
PUZZLES ARE A LOT OF FUN FOR KIDS. THESE NUMBER PUZZLES FOCUS ON COUNTING, NUMBER RECOGNITION, AND MATCHING.
Adding to 10 is one of the first skills kids begin to work on after they learn numbers and counting. Addition to 10 worksheets are great ways to assess how students are progressing.
But when it comes to practicing this important skill, math worksheets don’t have the same engagement as a fun, ocean science math game.
I love this ocean activity because students can work at their own skill level. You can use it a number of different ways: addition facts, counting, or as a fact fluency game.
On each puzzle, kids have the opportunity to count the ocean animals, find the sum, read the equation, and match the sum with the correct number. A simple puzzle addition game to 10 really covers a lot of important math skills.
In addition to working on single digit addition, you can use this winter activity to pose additional questions for thought:
- What are the addends?
- What’s the sum?
- Can you say the equation?
- How many in all/altogether?
What Can Preschool Ocean Math Activities Teach?
MATH FACT ADDITION FLUENCY GAMES
KNOWING THE NUMBERS THAT ADD TO MAKE 10 IS SUPER IMPORTANT. GIVEN THAT OUR NUMBER SYSTEMS IS A BASE TEN SYSTEM, UNDERSTANDING 10 IS THE FIRST STEP.
Addition worksheets and games and activities on addition and subtraction facts are great places to introduce and practice vocabulary associated with addition:
- Sum
- All together
- In all
- Total
- Add
- Increase
- More
Why Is It Important For Kids To Play Addition Games?
Children learn best when the learning feels easy and fun. Playing math games builds math facts fluency while cleverly disguised as a fun game!
Number Sense
Playing math games improves numbers sense which is the ability to understand, compare/contrast, and relate numbers to each other.
Vocabulary
Encouraging kids to use math vocabulary while playing games (sum/difference/total/greater than/less than)is a meaningful way to practice.
Automaticity
When children effortlessly (automatically) know basic math facts, it makes more complex computations easier.
Cooperative Learning
Simple games with partners or small groups give kids a lot of practice with social skills, like taking turns, following rules, and winning/losing.
Tools you’ll need
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Don’t worry about making a special trip to the store. You can get all the supplies for this activity right here. Click the pictures above to get what you need.
How to Make the Ocean Addition to 10 Puzzles
To Prep:
Print and laminate the pages for durability. Cut the puzzle pieces.
To Play:
Adapt the activity as needed for your specific learners. You can use the 3-piece puzzles, or the 2-piece puzzles.
Separate the picture cards by shape so it is easier. All of the cards with a straight edge on the left on one side, and all of the cards with a straight edge on the right on the other. If you’re using the 10 cards, place those separately as well.
Kids will pick one puzzle piece and count the ocean animals. Then, they need to figure out how many more animals are needed to make 10. Use a number line if necessary.
Find a match and repeat until all matches are found.
Our Favorite Adding and Counting Books For Kids:
We can’t live without these!
Once your child’s creativity is sparked with this fun activity, take it a step further with these engaging resources:
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Count With The Pirates!: A Fun Adding Up Book For 2-4 Year Olds
Ten Little Sandpipers: A Counting BookCount the Animals!: A Fun Picture Puzzle Book for 2-5 Year Olds (Counting Books for Kids)1, 2, 3 Construction: A counting book from 1 to 20 | I Spy (ABC and Counting Books for Kids)1, 2, 3 to the Zoo: A Counting BookOn the Launch Pad: A Counting Book About Rockets (Know Your Numbers)Ten Apples Up On Top!The Doorbell Rang
Word Problems
It’s always good to tie in real-life word problems. Use the cards to tell ocean book stories, like, “I saw 1 sea turtle and 9 shells. That makes 10!”
Counting Practice
If you child isn’t ready for addition fact fluency, use the puzzles for counting only. Count the objects on each piece and find the match by looking at shapes of puzzle pieces.
Write It Down
As your child works, encourage her to write down the numbers (addends) on each piece that add up to 10. By the end, she will have a comprehensive list of all the digits that make 10!
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