These counting puzzles are one of my favorite things to use to practice numeracy with my younger intervention students! There are so many fun games and hands-on activities that can be used to develop foundational skills like counting, and these puzzles have become a favorite of my students!
A quick overview
These ocean-themed counting puzzles are so much fun! I introduce them early on in the school year, because they are excellent to use as a center activity once students are familiar with them.
With this activity, students are practicing putting numerals in order, and the great thing is that they can use the picture as a guide if they get confused! As the number sequences increase in difficulty, the puzzle pictures and scenes also become increasingly harder.
Introducing the counting puzzles
When introducing these puzzles, I give each student in my small group a different puzzle to complete. For example, in my small group of three, I would give ‘Student A’ the puzzle for numerals 1-10, ‘Student B’ the puzzle for numerals 11-20, and ‘Student C’ the puzzle for numerals 21-30. I encourage the students to read the numerals and put the puzzles in order by thinking of the sequence. If they are stuck, they can also use the picture as a guide.
After the students complete a puzzle, I have them trade, so that all three students are able to complete each puzzle.
Once the students have completed all three puzzles, I have them work on the practice page for those three puzzles. Students can either write directly on their own copy of the practice page, or the page can be placed in a sheet protector and reused.
How to prep
Before use, I printed each puzzle, laminated it and cut them apart. That’s it! Once you’ve done that, the puzzles are ready for repeated uses. My puzzles have held up year after year!
Want to check them?
Click this link to preview the counting puzzles in my store. Your students will have so much fun with these!
Looking for other ways to practice early numeracy skills? Check out this blog post to see how to use tens frames to teach & practice subitizing!
Happy Teaching!
