Teen Numbers Fine Motor Task Boxes

Description

This fine motor skills task boxes set is packed with 10 engaging teen numbers activities designed to help your students master the numbers 10-20. Perfect for morning tubs, early finishers, math centers, or busy boxes, this set of teen numbers activities targets the development of standards-aligned math concepts and fine motor skills in preschool and kindergarten students while also fostering independence and excitement about school. Designed to be completed independently, these fine motor activities build finger strength, dexterity, and coordination while giving you time to take care of some of the many other tasks that demand your attention each day!

What You’ll Find in this Teen Numbers Set:

This set includes ideas and printable materials for 10 fine motor teen numbers activities. Each task is designed to fit into a standard plastic pencil box and includes a printable label, picture directions, and other materials (such as work mats or task cards). The tasks in this set are intended to help your students master kindergarten number and operations in base ten standards but are appropriate for any child that needs practice with the numbers 10-20.

The included teen numbers activities are:

▶ Teen Numbers Clip Cards
Students use clothespins to mark the number that matches the quantity in a picture. This activity emphasizes seeing teen numbers as a group of ten with some more ones.

▶ Teen Numbers Pompom Activity
Students draw a number card and then use tweezers to place pompoms on a ten frames card. In this activity, students pretend they are packing pieces of fruit into crates.

▶ Missing Number Strips
Students clip clothespins (with numbers affixed to them) to number strips to fill in the missing number in a series.

▶ Spin and Cover
Students spin one of three spinners (numeral, ten frames, or 10+_ expressions) and then cover the matching number on a picture card with a circular counter.

▶ Teen Numbers Punch Cards
Students use a standard hole punch to select matching teen numbers on a consumable paper card. Options include matching numerals to ten frames, 10+__ number expressions, and base ten blocks.

▶ Linking Teens
Students use plastic chain links to connect number cards with two options: assemble 10+__=__ equations (with ten frame pictures for support) OR sequence teen numbers (with ten frame pictures for support).

▶ Playdough Teen Numbers
Students roll small balls of playdough to match a teen number and complete a picture.

▶ Roll and Count
Students roll three six-sided dice, count (or subitize) the dots, write the numeral, and place counters in ten frames.

▶ Teen Numbers Pattern Blocks Puzzles
Students build numerals with pattern blocks.

▶ Tally Mark Teens
Students count craft sticks to match the numeral on a task card and then position them as tally marks on the table.

How to Use These Fine Motor Activities:

Once you get your students started with these task boxes with some initial instructions, they will be up and running and ready for independence! These teen numbers fine motor task boxes are perfect to grab during any of the times that you need students to be independent, engaged, and productive. Use these simple fine motor activities as morning tubs when students arrive in the classroom (a soft start is a great way to let students gently adjust to the school day) or as early finishers for children who finish their work quickly. These teen numbers activities are also useful during math center time, indoor recess, or any time students need a quiet break to re-focus.

To prepare these Teen Numbers Fine Motor Skills Task Boxes, print and laminate the activity label and instructions as well as the printable activity materials. Attach the activity label to the outside of the box and the illustrated instruction card inside the lid. (You can use Velcro to attach the labels if you want to have the flexibility to easily switch activities throughout the year!) Place all listed materials inside the box. Each activity requires the inclusion of other classroom items such as manipulatives or basic classroom supplies (listed below).

Once assembled, these fine motor activities stack easily on a shelf. Teach your students what procedures you would like them to follow for use and clean up. Some teachers allow students to come into the classroom and quietly select any of the morning tubs, while others prefer a check-in/out system that encourages children to cycle through the activities. Another option is to make a selection of task boxes available at each table and rotate them as the week goes on. This option can cut down on transition time and allow students to quickly choose an early finisher or math center activity.

What Teachers Are Saying:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This is a great resource for consolidating teen number knowledge. I used it for maths and fine motor rotations and the kids loved it. Thank you for a great resource!” –Teresa M.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Teen numbers are so tricky! These activities were great to help my kinder practice the teens. We used them during math station time, and they loved it. Thank you!” –Rebecca N.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “These are great. I especially like how little space they take up since they are stored in pencil boxes. Students can go pick one and just take one back to their desk.” -Jeb

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “My students loved this resource for morning work! Excellent for practicing tricky teen numbers.” –Laura W.

Recommended Materials List (not included in purchase):

copy paper, card stock, laminator/film, hot glue gun or duct tape
clothespins
craft pompoms
child-sized tweezers
pattern blocks (8 orange squares, 7 green triangles, 4 tan skinny rhombuses, 8 blue rhombuses, 2 red trapezoids, 0 yellow hexagons)
3/4” circular transparent counters
paper clip OR transparent spinner
math links (learning links)
hole punch
playdough
mini erasers (or other small counters)
dry erase marker/eraser
craft sticks

Why are fine motor skills important?

Research shows that well-developed fine motor skills in young children are a predictor of academic success. It makes sense that children with dexterity and hand strength would be more successful in a classroom that requires writing and drawing, but researchers have found that the connection goes beyond that. Through a series of studies using longitudinal data that tracked students from kindergarten through eighth grade, researchers determined that strong fine motor skills in the early years of life help form connections in the brain that lead to greater academic achievement throughout the school years. Unfortunately, advances in technology have led many families away from traditional activities that promote fine motor development. The time that many children spend using computers, tablets, and smartphones is time that they are not spending building, drawing, and manipulating objects in the world around them. Many children are beginning school with a deficit of motor skills, both gross and fine. It is important for schools to give children many opportunities to build those skills.

If you have any questions, email susan@myhappyplaceteaching.com or use the contact form on this site.

Thank you for shopping!

Susan Jennings (My Happy Place)

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Permission to copy for single classroom use only.

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