Top 3 Proven Activities to Use Ten Frames to Represent the Number

Students represent the number with objects and ten frames as an early introduction to place value.   Quickly looking at a five or ten frame and knowing how many counters there are helps build the foundation for larger numbers.   Then, they will see how the teen numbers are made up of a ten and then some ones.   

Engaging students to learn in math class will help students to love math. Unfortunately, children develop a dislike of math early on and end up resenting it into adult life.   So how can teachers make math more interesting to engage students?  Students who feel successful in math class are happier and more engaged in learning.  Check out  The Bonus Guide for Creating a Growth Mindset Classroom and Students Who Love Math for ideas, lessons, and mindset surveys for students to use in your classroom to cultivate a positive classroom community in mathematics.    You can also sign up for other freebies from me Here at Easternshoremathteacher.com.

Numbers are part of our everyday lives, and we need to use these daily opportunities to build kids’ number sense.   Talking, playing, and solving math throughout the day builds number sense and the love of mathematics. Students need multiple opportunities to count, represent numbers with objects, and count objects    Let’s make math fun and actively engage kids with various activities so students have a strong number sense.  

What is Number Sense in Mathematics?

Number sense refers to understanding number concepts, operations, and applications of numbers and operations.

Children with good number sense enjoy playing with and exploring numbers.  Counting, putting numbers together, and taking them apart (composing and decomposing numbers) help students become flexible in their thinking. 

Counting and Cardinality Standards

Preschool Counting Standards:

What number should a Preschooler be able to count to?  They need to be able to count to 20.

  • Know number names and the count sequence
    • Count to 20.  (Oral Counting)
    • Represent a number of objects with a written numeral 0 – 5 (with 0 representing no objects). 
  • Count to Tell the Number of Objects
    • Understand the relationship between numbers and quantities to 10
  • Count to answer “how many?” questions about as many as 10 things arranged in a line, a rectangular array, or a circle, or as many as 5 items in a scattered configuration; given a number from 1 – 10, count out that many objects.

Kindergarten Counting Standards:

What number should a kindergarten be able to count to? They should be able to count to 100.

  • Know number names and the count sequence.
    • Count to 100  (Oral Counting)
    • Write numbers from 0 to 20. Represent a number of objects with a written numeral 0-20 (with 0 representing no objects).
  • Count to tell the number of objects.
  • Count to answer “how many?” questions about as many as 20 things arranged in a line, a rectangular array, or a circle, or as many as 10 things in a scattered configuration; given a number from 1-20, count out that many objects.

Oral Counting Activities 

Counting To 20 

Students begin by counting by ones.  They start with a limited range of numbers and increase until they can count to 20.  As students begin to count fluently, introduce the numeral representations for each number name.  Give students opportunities to match the numeral with the number name. (5= “five”)

Use a variety of nursery rhymes, books, and songs to help students associate number sequences with situations that are already familiar to them.

Taking opportunities to count throughout the day- sitting in the car, walking somewhere, or as a movement break with songs helps develop this skill. They are eventually showing the numbers as they count.  

Counting to 100

Students begin by counting by ones.  They start with a limited range of numbers and increase until they can count to 100. Then, they begin to match the number name with the numeral. 

They play games and complete activities using numeral cards and parts of the hundreds chart to connect numerals with number names.

Once students can count to a given number, use a section of the hundreds chart to help them recognize the numerals that represent these numbers. Use matching games and activities to help students connect the number name with the digit. 

Songs for Counting to 20

Having students move and count is a great way to incorporate movement and counting.  You can have students make up their own movements or use these counting to 10, counting to 20, and counting to 100 songs below: 

Numbers to 20 Activities

Counting Objects to 10

Say the number name in order as they point to each object.  Some students may find it helpful to move the objects as they count.  Start by counting objects in a straight line, then proceed to organized representations (arrays, circles) and randomly arranged objects.  

Provide opportunities for students to count objects such as buttons, counters, shells, and dot cards.  Ask students to count objects, beginning with a smaller number of items and increasing as students count accurately.  

Use five frames to model lining up objects and help students begin to see patterns that make 5. Then, as students are ready, represent numbers on a ten frame.  Try out this Subitizing Free Resource or Compose and Decompose Numbers Resource.

Ask.” How many are there?” to reinforce that the last number tells the number of objects.    Finally, count on to the original number of items by adding one item. 

Counting Objects to 20 

Continue to provide opportunities for students to count objects in organized and then randomly arranged objects.  Students should be able to count up to 20 objects in Kindergarten.

Digital Counting Activities

Students love to use technology to learn; it is more engaging with colorful pictures and movable pieces.   It is also easier for teachers to incorporate as a warm-up, small group, whole group, or independent practice. Then, just download the files, and students are ready to start counting.  

Building Number Sense with Ten Frames

Number sense refers to understanding number concepts, operations, and applications of numbers and operations. Number sense is flexible thinking and intuition about numbers.   

It is the ability to be flexible with numbers and have a variety of strategies to use. In addition, students know how to use and adapt the strategy to meet different situations.  

Ten frames help with developing number sense. First, number sense is having a good understanding of numbers and their relationships. Number sense develops gradually as children explore numbers and have experiences with them.   Read more about Ten Frames…Why Using Ten Frames for Math to Develop Understanding is Effective?

Represent the Number Using Ten Frames

Numbers to 20 Matching Game

Students match the numeral card to the ten frames that represent the number.

Numbers to 20 Ten Frames

Given a number, count out that many objects to represent the number. 

Students can begin by just counting out the number of objects and eventually use a five, ten, or double ten frames to represent the number. 

This can be done using counters and ten frames or digital counters and frames.  It is also fun to use some seasonal counters and ten frames.  

Numbers to 20 Worksheet and Games

Students can be given the numeral and fill in a ten frame to represent the number, or be given the ten frame and write down the numeral it represents.  

Several games could be played with dice or numbers cards to 20 to help students to understand the numbers to 20.   

Related Articles and Blog Posts

Representing Numbers on a Ten Frame

Strong number sense helps build a foundation for mathematical understanding. Creating a love for math in your children begins with building an understanding of numbers.  Incorporating 5, 10 and double ten frames is one way to support students in representing numbers.

How can teachers make math more interesting to engage students?  Download The Free Ultimate Guide for Creating a Growth Mindset Classroom and Students Who Love Math for ideas, lessons, and mindset surveys to use in your classroom.    You can also sign up to receive other freebies from me Here at Easternshoremathteacher.com.

Try out these activities using ten frames to represent the number, and let me know what you think!

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