This easy-to-make Math Counts Pasta Counter is the perfect manipulative for teaching children to add numbers zero through ten to get a sum of ten. This is an important concept for all children to learn since it teaches them that each pasta piece represents one number- a skill all children are expected to learn in kindergarten! After creating this craft from simple materials and easy instructions, children and their parents will enjoy exploring the world of addition!

What you'll need:

  • 1 piece of card stock (color does not matter)
  • scissors
  • ruler
  • pencil
  • small Ziploc bag
  • marker
How to make your tangram puzzle:
  • Using the ruler and scissors, cut out an eight inch square from the card stock. (see photos)
  • With the pencil, mark the corners 1,2,3, and 4. (see photos)
  • Using the ruler and a pencil, make a diagonal line from corner 2 to corner 3. (see photos)
  • Make another diagonal line halfway between corner 1 and the diagonal line you just created. (see photos)
  • Draw a diagonal line from corner 4 to the line you just drew. (see photos)
  • Draw a small line between corner 3 and the diagonal line you just drew. (see photos)
  • Finally, draw a line from the end of the diagonal line which extends corner 4 to the point halfway between corner 2 and the center of the square. (see photos)
  • Using the marker, label the medium triangle 1, the small triangle 2, the square 3, the other small triangle 4, the parallelogram 5, the first big triangle 6, and the second large triangle 7. (see photos)
  • Using scissors, cut out the shapes you have created. (see photos)
  • When not in use, store the shapes in the small Ziploc bag. (see photos)
  • Using the tangram pieces you have just created, try to solve the following codes. The numbers are in order from left to right and the numbers that are next to each other touch one another. You may have to rotate some of the shapes. Good luck!
    • 1-3-5-2-6-7-4
    • 2-3-4-6-1-7-5
    • 2-3-4-6-7-5-1
    • 1-2-3-4-6-7-5
    • Need help? The pictures below will give you the answers you're looking for!
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