Dinosaur Ten Frame Math Game Inspired by Magic Tree House Dinosaurs Before Dark
There’s something about dinosaurs that my kids just love. We’ve done so many great dinosaur activities over the years. We love reading about dinosaurs and letting books inspire our activities. Our dinosaur ten frame math game is inspired by Magic Tree House Dinosaurs Before Dark. Practice counting, making ten, number recognition, writing numbers, and reading number words. I get commissions for purchases made through the affiliate links in this post.
Magic Tree House Dinosaurs Before Dark by Mary Pope Osborne
Dinosaurs Before Dark is the first book in the Magic Tree House beginning chapter book series. This series makes for a great early reader book or read aloud. The chapters are short. I read the book to my kindergartner in two sittings.
In book number one, we are introduced to brother and sister duo, Jack and Annie. They are walking through the woods and stumble upon a tree house high up in a tree. They climb up to discover a room full of books inside. Jack finds a book about dinosaurs and wishes that he could go there. The kids and the tree house are magically transported to the time of the dinosaurs. Jack and Annie meet several dinosaurs and even have a scare with a T. rex. Will they make it home before dark? Where did the tree house come from? These are just some of the questions you’ll discover while reading the book.
Many of the Magic Tree House books have nonfiction companions called Fact Trackers. Learn even more about dinosaurs with Dinosaurs: A Nonfiction Companion to Magic Tree House #1: Dinosaurs Before Dark
Dinosaur Ten Frame Math Game
How about a dinosaur themed math game to go along with our Dinosaurs Before Dark reading? This dinosaur ten frame is a fantastic hands-on way to practice counting, number recognition, number words, and even writing numbers. Play around with different ways to make ten with dinosaurs.
Supplies Needed for the Dinosaur Ten Frame Activity
- Dinosaur Ten Frame printable (only for personal or classroom use)
- Dinosaurs (Learning Resources sent us these.)
- Plastic sheet protector (or contact paper or laminator)
- Dry erase marker
- Scissors
How to Set Up and Play the Dinosaur Ten Frame Math Game
First, you’ll need the Dinosaur Ten Frame printable. It is only for your personal or classroom use. Print out the pdf. Cut out the numbers and number words. I like to use a paper cutter to make it easier.
Place the ten frame printable in a plastic sheet protector. This will allow your child to write on it with a dry erase marker. You could also laminate the paper or cover it with contact paper.
Place the dinosaurs, dry erase marker, number cards, and number word cards next to the ten frame sheet.
Have your child choose a number between 1 and 10. You can give her a number, she can think of one, or she can choose a number card.
Next your child should place that many dinosaurs into the the ten frame. Count the dinosaurs and fill in the boxes under the ten frame. How many dinosaurs are there? Write the number. Find the correct number word.
Talk to your child about the number of dinosaurs in the ten frame. How many squares have dinosaurs? How many squares are empty? How many more dinosaurs are needed to make ten (to fill the ten frame)?
I specifically created this printable with my kindergartner in mind. She’s been working on writing numbers and I knew she could use some more practice. This would also be great for first grade.
Her class is starting to work on reading the number words, so I added that skill in as well. Lily is just starting out reading, so we worked on this together. I had her find the correct beginning letter and then I read the number word to her.
Also try this: Make a ten frame with LEGO bricks and make ten with LEGO minifigures.
More Dinosaur Activities for Kids
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