Butterfly ten-frame puzzles make counting to 20 simple, hands-on and easy to add to your butterfly theme or butterfly life cycle unit. A ten-frame is a box of ten squares that helps children see numbers in groups of five and ten.

Children count the butterfly pictures in each ten-frame, then match the puzzle piece to the correct numeral and number word. This low-prep counting activity gives preschool, pre-k and kindergarten students extra practice with numbers 1-20.

With this butterfly counting puzzle set, you get

• Two-piece puzzles for numbers 1-20
• A ten-frame picture piece and a numeral and number word piece for each number
• Black and white coordinating worksheets
• Easy number ranges for differentiation: 1-5, 1-10 or 1-20
• A counting center that fits your spring and butterfly themes

Print, cut and let the counting begin.

What's Included

• Numbers 1-20 two-piece ten-frame puzzles
• Numeral and number word pieces for each puzzle
• Black and white coordinating worksheets

The print and go worksheets give children an easy way to count the pictures shown in each ten-frame and write the matching number.

Why Teachers Love It

• Quick to prep: Print, cut and the puzzles are ready for centers.
• Three number formats: Each puzzle shows a ten-frame, a numeral and a number word.
• Easy to differentiate: Use numbers 1-5, 1-10 or 1-20 to match your learners.
• Two-piece puzzles: Children join the ten-frame piece with its numeral and number word piece.
• Worksheet follow-up: Black and white worksheets add number writing practice.
• Butterfly theme: A natural fit for spring math centers, insect themes and butterfly life cycle lessons.

Skills Students Practice

Primary Academic Skills

• Counting to 20: Children count the butterflies in each ten-frame.
• One-to-one correspondence: Children touch and count each butterfly one time.
• Number recognition: Children find the numeral that matches each ten-frame.
• Number words: Each puzzle pairs the numeral with its number word.
• Ten-frames: Children see numbers as groups of five and ten.
• Writing numbers: Coordinating worksheets give practice writing the number for each set.

Secondary Life & Learning Skills

• Following directions
• Working independently
• Maintaining attention
• Making and checking predictions
• Using mathematical language

How to Use It

Step 1: Print the puzzles on cardstock and laminate if desired. Cut apart the puzzle cards, then cut along the wavy or zigzag line to separate the two pieces.

Step 2: Use numbers 1-5, 1-10 or 1-20 depending on your students' needs.

Step 3: Children count the butterfly pictures in each ten-frame and match them to the correct numeral and number word. Add the worksheets for extra number writing practice.

Easy Differentiation

Young learners are at many different places with counting. Choosing the number range lets every child work at the right level.

For Children Who Need More Support

• Start with numbers 1-5
• Count each butterfly together, touching one at a time
• Lay out only a few puzzles at once
• Say the number word aloud after each match

For On-Level Practice

• Work with numbers 1-10
• Complete the coordinating worksheets
• Read the number word on each puzzle
• Put finished puzzles in number order

For an Extra Challenge

• Use the full set of numbers 1-20
• Tell how many more are needed to fill the ten-frame
• Read the number words without looking at the numerals
• Write each number without the worksheet model

For Speech, OT, ELL or Special Education Support

• Use the ten-frames to model counting language such as "I count 8."
• Use a short language frame such as "This shows ___."
• Practice cutting and joining puzzle pieces for fine motor work
• Use fewer puzzles at a time
• Give extra time and model each match first

Perfect For

• Preschool math centers
• Pre-k counting practice
• Kindergarten math centers
• Butterfly life cycle units
• Spring themes
• Small groups
• Morning tubs
• Early finishers
• Take-home practice
• Homeschool math

Standards

These butterfly ten-frame puzzles support the 2022 Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines and Virginia's Early Learning and Development Standards (2021), plus kindergarten standards in Common Core, the TEKS (Math 2012) and the Virginia Math SOL (2023):

Common Core State Standards

• CCSS K.CC.B.4.a: Say number names in order while pairing each butterfly with one number.
• CCSS K.CC.B.5: Count to answer "how many?" questions about as many as 20 things.
• CCSS K.CC.A.3: Write numbers 0-20 and represent a number of objects with a written numeral.

Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines

• Texas Pre-K Guidelines PK4.V.A.2: Count up to 10 objects, touching one butterfly for each number.
• Texas Pre-K Guidelines PK4.V.A.5: Recognize numerals 0-10 on the puzzle pieces.

Texas TEKS

• TEKS Math K.2.B: Read, write and represent whole numbers from 0 to at least 20 with and without pictures.

Virginia Early Learning and Development Standards

• Virginia ELDS CD3.1: Count and recognize quantities with ten-frames.

Virginia SOL

• VA SOL Math K.NS.1.a: Use one-to-one correspondence to find how many are in a set.
• VA SOL Math K.NS.2.a: Read, write and identify numerals, practiced here from 1-20.

Check out what other educators are saying:

★★★★★ Sellyunie A. wrote, “Perfect for our life cycle unit used it in the science and math centers ”

★★★★★ Kayla Y. wrote, “Loved it!”

Add the Butterfly Life-Cycle Puzzles for Numbers 1-20 to your cart and have a hands-on counting center ready for your butterfly unit. Print, cut and watch your learners count, match and write their way to 20!

This activity is included in my Butterfly Life-Cycle Cross-Curricular Bundle for K-1 at a reduced price. Do not purchase both.

Download Details

Please note: This is a digital download that will be available to you directly after purchase. Nothing will be mailed to you.

You will receive a link to the download in three places

• On the 'thank you' page after checkout
• In your email
• Login on the site here: https://lifeovercsstore.com/account