Montessori-Inspired Ocean Math Activities Using Free Printables

Summer is a great time both for relaxed beach/ocean unit studies and for learning outdoors. Today, I want to share Montessori-inspired math ideas using some great free printables I found online with an ocean theme.

I took all the photos here either on tables or on a beach towel outdoors in the shade. I love outdoor learning in almost any weather, but it’s especially helpful to bring learning activities outdoors in the summer.

Subtract the Fish Tray from Montessori-Inspired Ocean Math Activities Using Free Printables

Last month, I published Montessori-inspired beach language activities with ideas for using the activities indoors or outdoors. I also have a post with many different types of ideas for outdoor learning activities: Montessori-inspired outdoor environment.

Note: In the photo above, the printable used is the subtract the fish mat from the free ocean pack, part 2 at 3 Dinosaurs.

Fish Pattern Math Activity

Fish Pattern Math Tray

Carolyn from Wise Owl Factory shares a great free Pattern Fish, Pattern Math 47 Page PDF (now in the Free eMembers Section). Thanks so much, Carolyn! You’ll find some great ideas for using the printable book in her post. If you don’t want to print out the entire book for home use, you could share the patterning ideas with your child on your computer and then create some hands-on activities. You can also find a free printable for making fish patterns at Teachers Pay Teachers.

Here’s an idea for using pattern fish pocket chart cards to create a pattern outdoors on a beach towel. I just printed out six copies of one page for this activity. Of course, you could use fewer cards to create a shorter pattern. You’ll find other variations for using the pattern pocket chart cards in Carolyn’s post as well.

Ocean Math Pattern Hunt

3 Dinosaurs has a HUGE ocean pack for ages 2-7. Thank you to Cassie from 3 Dinosaurs for sharing these wonderful literature-based free printables!

I like to find ways to create extra interest for children who aren’t drawn to traditional learning activities. Even children who are will generally find extra interest in a new variation of an activity.

I used the ocean patterning printables from the pack to create an ocean math pattern hunt using colored sand from a hobby store (Michaels). I like to rotate and repurpose materials, so this is the same sand I used in last month’s O is for Octopus sand tray. There are three pages of patterning printables. You could choose to use one page or all three, depending on the level best for your child or class.

I used a deep tray I found at the dollar section of Target last summer along with a small shovel. (You could add other types of scoops as well.) The brush is for brushing the sand off the cards after discovery. Any type of brush would work. I just used one I had at home.

For this activity, the child simply searches for the cards you’ve laminated and hidden in the sand, brushes them off, and places the cards in the correct place on the “What Comes Next?” page.

Ocean Number Order Puzzles

I love that the ocean pack from 3 dinosaurs has three sets of number order puzzles – 1-10, 11-20, and 21-30. Again, adjust the activity to include 1-, 2-, or all 3 puzzles for your child or class.

I used three pencil boxes from Really Useful Box that I found at an office-supply store. I like to have small containers to keep activities organized on the tray, and I like using the Really Useful Box containers both as organizers and as an included open-and-close activity for preschoolers. (Note: Here’s a post with lots of ideas for open and close.)

Subtract the Fish Activity

Subtract the Fish Activity Using Goldfish Crackers

This activity used the subtract the fish mat from the ocean pack, part 2 at 3 Dinosaurs.

Obviously, goldfish aren’t typical ocean fish. But I think Goldfish crackers still work well – and add interest – to an ocean math activity. This activity works for any child who has a good understanding of quantity and numerals. There are number cards included in the activity for 1-20. I used 1-15 here, although you could just use 1-10.

The photo at the top of the post shows how I prepared the tray with an inexpensive wooden tray from the hobby store, a glass candle coaster for the number of Goldfish crackers you want to use (and allow the child to eat), and another small container for the number cards.

For the activity, I would have the child choose two number cards, placing the larger number in the space to the left. Then he or she could count out the correct number of Goldfish to place above the minuend as in the photo.

As the child counts out the correct number for the subtrahend, he or she could count out and move that number of Goldfish to the “water” above the subtrahend. After eating those Goldfish, the child could then count out the goldfish left and place the number card with the difference in the last space. Continue creating and solving subtraction equations until the Goldfish are gone.

I had a Montessori-inspired One Fish, Two Fish addition tray in February, which used Goldfish crackers as well (although for a Dr. Seuss theme).

There are many more printables in the ocean pack, such as clip-and-count cards. For Montessori-inspired presentation ideas, check out my Montessori-inspired April showers activities post .

More Ocean Resources and Activities

Free Ocean Printables and Montessori-Inspired Ocean Activities

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Comments

jenny says

June 17, 2012 at 5:19 am

This is absolutely fantastic. The kids would love it and can easily make up their own subtraction problems without getting bored. Well done.

- Deb says
  
  June 19, 2012 at 3:55 pm
  
  Thanks so much, Jenny! The Goldfish do make subtraction more interesting! 🙂
  
Jodi Whisenhunt / Magical Mouse Schoolhouse says

June 17, 2012 at 1:59 pm

Hi, Deb! Those are really fun ideas! My 6-yr-old would enjoy digging in blue sand, but I would have to make the pattern hunt more challenging.

I was just popping in to ask you to vote for my Magical Mouse Schoolhouse on the Circle of Moms contest. I learned about the contest just last week and am trying to make up for lost ground. Already up to #33, but the competition is fierce near the top, lol! Anyway, I’ve been voting for you each day, and I’d love it if you could give me a nudge. Thanks so much!

maryanne says

June 18, 2012 at 4:41 am

I love that subtract the fish tray!

- Deb says
  
  June 19, 2012 at 3:55 pm
  
  Thanks, MaryAnne! I had fun with that one! 🙂
  
Krista says

August 23, 2013 at 9:49 am

I used your subtraction tray idea for our Ocean Unit Study! Thanks so much for the great idea!
http://abowlfullofnuts.wordpress.com/2013/08/23/ocean-unit-study/

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