Summer is here! And that means sunshine, sunscreen, and sunflowers!
When you’re thinking about back to school, a common theme is apples, which I love to use as well.
But many of us go back to school long before apple season. (Our district goes back during the last week of July.)
So if you’re looking for a simple early math center to get kids engaged during those early weeks, this sunflower making ten playdough math center is a great fit for first grade!
Any time I can make a resource hands-on, I jump at the chance.
And because you can use this with several kinds of manipulatives, it’s versatile. Which is great if you’re still trying to get your classroom supplies sorted at the start of the year.
Read on to see how to get your copy of this resource – free!
And, for more fun in the sun, take a look at our simple Coffee Filter Crab Craft!
Sunflower Making Ten Playdough Math Center
To use this early math center, you’ll need the following: (Affiliate links are used below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)
- Printer (with ink)
- Printer paper
- Laminator (optional)
- Scissors
- Playdough
This resource includes ten sunflower addition circle cards – each displays a pair of numbers that equal a sum of 10.
There are also ten yellow ten frames inside.
You can print the resource with regular printer paper if you’re only planning to use it once.
But if you intend to reuse it (like most of us teachers do), laminate the cards and ten frames before you cut them out.
How to Use The Making Ten Playdough Math Center
When you’re ready to begin this activity, ask your class about how we add numbers to make ten. If they’ve never done it before, have them hold up all ten fingers.
Walk them through adding a couple of different numbers to make ten.
For example, you could say: “Hold up all ten fingers. We’re going to count out three together. As we count each one, put that finger down. 1-2-3.”
They should have seven fingers still extended. Use this to show that 3+7 = 10. Repeat with a few other combinations.
Now you can demonstrate the activity.
At the center, put down an addition circle card and a ten frame. Use two different colors of playdough.
Make enough playdough balls to represent the first numeral. Then use the second color to make playdough balls that represent the second numeral.
Show students how to count each group and then add them all up to make ten.
If you don’t have playdough, you can use just about any math manipulative you can think of.
Coins, buttons, stickers, math counters – even LEGO blocks or drawing circles with dry erase markers would work well.
Scroll down to get your copy of this Sunflower Making Ten Math Center!
Take a look at these other early math activities for centers!
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