Grade
2

Math in Our World: Puzzle Pieces

A box of puzzle pieces. Next to it is 1 pile of 100 pieces, and 10 piles with 10 pieces each.

We found this puzzle in our toy chest. Before we put it together, we want to count the pieces to make sure that none are missing. There are supposed to be 1,000 pieces in all! This is how many pieces we’ve counted so far.

  1. What do you notice? What do you wonder?
  2. Use pictures, models, or numbers to show what’s happening.
  3. What math questions can you ask about this situation? Answer all the questions you can!

Try using number pieces to show what is happening. You can use the MLC Number Pieces app if you’d like!

Think about:

  • How many pieces have they counted so far? Do you see the large pile with 100 pieces? Do you see the small piles with 10 pieces in each pile?
  • How many more pieces do they need to count to get to 1,000? How many groups of 10? How many groups of 100?


  • Show your work to someone else, and explain your thinking. Did they understand?
  • Ask whether they have any other questions you can answer!

Find something in your home to count. It could be toys or game pieces, art supplies, or food items like beans or cereal pieces. Make up your own counting problem and share it with us!

Printable Version

Google doc for printing and copying

Seesaw Version

Activity for the Seesaw platform

Reference for Educators

Sample problems and solutions