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Using Number Puzzles to Build Number Sense Up to 120

More than 120 days of school have passed, but we have not moved on from counting and building number sense up to 120. My class is doing such a beautiful job of learning to recognize and write all of their numbers from 1 to 120. I’m so unbelievably proud of them, but the wheels in their heads are still turning as they continue to build number sense, recognize number patterns, and understand how those numbers relate to one another. I’ve been using number puzzles in my classroom and this has quickly become the favorite go-to activity when students have extra time. I’m happy to give you a glimpse into my students hard at work on this simple number activity, share a free download to create your own number puzzles, and tell you all about this year’s Brightest Teacher Contest from Astrobrights.

Thank you to ASTROBRIGHTS® Papers for partnering with me on this blog post. I received payment, trade, and or products from Astrobrights in exchange for promoting. However, all opinions stated are my own and I only promote brands and products that we use and love. This post also contains affiliate links. I receive a small commission each time someone makes a purchase through one of my links, which helps to support the blog.

Using number puzzles to build number sense up to 120 with Astrobrights paper | Kinder Craze teaching blog

Interactive Number Practice Beyond the 100th Day of School

My class celebrated the 100th day of school last month, which means that I created an assortment of fun, 100-themed centers for one very special day last month. My 100th day activities did include number puzzles (much like these.) The only problem is, one day of hands-on fun unscrambling numbers up to 100 and putting them in order wasn’t enough hands-on practice to really help my students dive deep into number patterns and relationships on a 100 chart (and it certainly didn’t help them master their numbers up to 120.)

I recently created a slightly more challenging set of number puzzles that go all the way up to 120 and my goodness, were my students excited to see the really BIG numbers in the puzzle (and by big, I mean numbers beyond 100). They were thrilled by the prospect of a challenge.

Using number puzzles to build number sense up to 120 with Astrobrights paper | Kinder Craze teaching blog

I created a puzzle work station that had several individual number puzzles and 120 charts to use as a guide. Kindergarten students aren’t always mindful about their work spaces so I copied each number puzzle onto a different color of Astrobrights cardstock. This way, my students could tell at a glance exactly which pieces belonged to which puzzle. I love for colors in my classroom to pop, so I used Martian Green, Lunar Blue, Cosmic Orange, and Outrageous Orchid to really make the pieces stand out. There was zero confusion, which helped them to manage their own supplies and allowed me to focus my time and energy on teaching (rather than sorting out mixed up puzzle pieces).

Using number puzzles to build number sense up to 120 with Astrobrights paper | Kinder Craze teaching blog

Having blank 120 charts nearby was helpful in gently guiding my students through the puzzle. It provided a helpful reference for them. Most children placed the puzzle pieces directly on top of the puzzle the first time they worked (which was fine by me – there’s still great value in matching numbers and an opportunity to discover number patterns through observation).

Using number puzzles to build number sense up to 120 with Astrobrights paper | Kinder Craze teaching blogUsing number puzzles to build number sense up to 120 with Astrobrights paper | Kinder Craze teaching blog Using number puzzles to build number sense up to 120 with Astrobrights paper | Kinder Craze teaching blog

I loved watching this student’s progress as she worked to complete her 120 puzzle (and the Outrageous Orchid coincidentally matches her dress beautifully).

Using number puzzles to build number sense up to 120 with Astrobrights paper | Kinder Craze teaching blogUsing number puzzles to build number sense up to 120 with Astrobrights paper | Kinder Craze teaching blogUsing number puzzles to build number sense up to 120 with Astrobrights paper | Kinder Craze teaching blogUsing number puzzles to build number sense up to 120 with Astrobrights paper | Kinder Craze teaching blogUsing number puzzles to build number sense up to 120 with Astrobrights paper | Kinder Craze teaching blog

Once children successfully completed a puzzle on top of the 120 chart, I encouraged them to work on a “challenge” puzzle and recreate the same puzzle without the blank chart as a guide. My kindergarteners eagerly rose to this challenge!

Using number puzzles to build number sense up to 120 with Astrobrights paper | Kinder Craze teaching blog
Using number puzzles to build number sense up to 120 with Astrobrights paper | Kinder Craze teaching blog
These number puzzles were easy to prepare and highly engaging for my students. Add the fact that the materials were affordable and the bright colors of Astrobrights cardstock made the puzzles even more appealing for my kindergarteners and this activity was a total home run.

Using number puzzles to build number sense up to 120 with Astrobrights paper | Kinder Craze teaching blog

Prepping the Number Puzzles

These number puzzles were so easy to prepare for the classroom. I copied several 120 charts onto white cardstock, and also copied the same chart onto different colors of Astrobrights cardstock. I laminated all of the 120 charts and kept the white charts intact so my students could use them as a reference while they worked. The next step was to cut the colored charts into smaller puzzle pieces. There is no right or wrong way to cut the pieces. I try to create various unusual shapes (rather than just squares and rectangles) but you can do whatever you think will work best for your students.

Using number puzzles to build number sense up to 120 with Astrobrights paper | Kinder Craze teaching blog

Easily Differentiate the Number Puzzles

There are so many things I love about this activity, but one of my favorite tricks is that I could easily differentiate the puzzles. The orange puzzle I created has only 9 pieces, the yellow puzzle has 11 pieces, and the other puzzles have several more pieces. You can see the difference in size between the orange and purple puzzle pieces below.

Using number puzzles to build number sense up to 120 with Astrobrights paper | Kinder Craze teaching blog

The fewer the pieces, the easier the puzzle. Which is a great way to make this activity accessible to all students – even the ones who struggle. Just hand those children an easier puzzle and they get the satisfaction of doing the same activity as their friends, while minimizing the likelihood of frustration.

Likewise, if you have a few students that breeze through this activity, you can always create a more challenging puzzle with smaller pieces.

Don’t Let the Pieces Slide

As you might imagine, trying to arrange laminated puzzle pieces can be a bit of a challenge. Those laminated puzzle pieces are pretty slick and they move very easily. My kindergarteners are still developing their fine motor skills and I didn’t want them to become unnecessarily frustrated by puzzle pieces sliding around while they were trying to work.

Luckily, there is a super-simple solution to this problem. I placed a small piece of double sided tape onto the back of each puzzle piece. I personally prefer the “permanent” Scotch double sided tape with the yellow packaging because it last so long.

You don’t want the puzzle pieces to stay on the table top or white number chart forever, so I recommend gently tapping the tape with your finger tip a few times after it has been applied to the back of the puzzle piece. This helps reduce the “stickiness” of the tape so it’s re-positionable and not permanent.

 

Number Puzzle Storage

When the number puzzles are not in use, the pieces can easily be stored in sandwich size zipper bags. I also keep a stack of white 120 charts in a nearby tray for easy student access.

Using number puzzles to build number sense up to 120 with Astrobrights paper | Kinder Craze teaching blogUsing number puzzles to build number sense up to 120 with Astrobrights paper | Kinder Craze teaching blog

 

Shop For Supplies

Ready to create some number puzzles for your own classroom? Click any items in the widget below to stock up on Astrobrights cardstock and other materials from Amazon.

 

Create Your Own FREE Number Puzzles

You can create these number puzzles in your classroom as well. Just enter your email below to download your free 120 chart and puzzle template. I hope your students enjoy these puzzles as much as mine do!

Nominate A Bright Teacher for a Classroom Makeover

Do you know a bright teacher? Nominate them for the 2017 Brightest Teacher Contest from ASTROBRIGHTS® Papers. The winning teacher will be awarded a classroom makeover valued at $5,000 It’s easy to nominate your favorite teacher. Just hop over to ColorizeYourClassroom.com and tell us why he or she shines a light on everyone around them. Just act fast because March 26 is the last day to nominate a bright teacher.

Astrobrights Brightest Teacher Contest

I had the great honor of helping to plan and set up the classroom makeover for last year’s Brightest Teacher. The Bright Minds ambassadors designed the classroom together and I am in love with Markeda’s new classroom. I am so excited to find out who this year’s winner will be!

Astrobrights Brightest Teacher Classroom Makeover

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Maria Gavin

Maria is a former kindergarten and first grade teacher, with 13 years of teaching experience. Her love and passion for all things early childhood is now fulfilled as a mom to two amazing kids. She loves sharing practical and creative tips and ideas that are perfect for young learners – in the classroom or at home!

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7 Responses

  1. Thank you so much for the #’s to 120 freebie! Half of my kinderbabies are so ready for this! Thank you for all of your fabulous ideas! <3

    1. You are very welcome Magi! I’m thrilled to hear that the ideas and resources I share on the blog are helpful to you!

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Hi, I'm Maria.

I’m a former kindergarten teacher turned work-from-home mom. I still love sharing ideas and resources to make teaching easier, so you can focus on what really matters in the classroom. When I’m not working on the blog, you’ll find me chasing kids around the house with a cold cup of coffee in my hand (some things never change even once you’re out of the classroom!)

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