Free Printable Ocean Theme Making 10 Puzzles

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. These making 10 puzzles really cover 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.

Automaticity: When children effortlessly (automatically) know basic math facts, it makes more complex computations easier.

Vocabulary: Encouraging kids to use math vocabulary while playing games (sum/difference/total/greater than/less than)is a meaningful way to practice.

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.

How to Make the Ocean Making 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.

More Ways to Practice Making 10:

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!