Using Ten-Frames to Understand Numbers from 11-20

Written by Donna Boucher

Donna has been a teacher, math instructional coach, interventionist, and curriculum coordinator. A frequent speaker at state and national conferences, she shares her love for math with a worldwide audience through her website, Math Coach’s Corner. Donna is also the co-author of Guided Math Workshop.

You’ve simply gotta love it when an observation lesson goes way better than you could have expected! Today I was getting ready to work with my Firsties when my AP showed up for my observation. Yesterday, the students were working with two ten-frames to build and better understand numbers from 11-19, and I had several goals for the continuation of the activity:

  1. Students will realize that to fill a ten-frame, they don’t have to count by ones–if they fill it, it’s 10
  2. Students will be able to count on from ten for a number from 11-20 (eg., 10…11, 12, 13, 14)
  3. Students will be able to write numbers from 11-20 in expanded form showing the value of the tens and ones (eg., 14 = 10 + 4)

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As the students came in, two ten-frames and a small pile of counters were on the table at their seat. I told the students that I had meant to give each of them 20 counters, but I hadn’t had time to count. I asked them to each count their counters and give me any extra over twenty. As they counted, I was able to coach one student that when counting objects, it’s best to move them aside while counting. The very quick exercise also let me check their one-to-one correspondence and counting abilities. My first surprise of the day came when one friend decided to count by twos. I was not expecting that!

To begin the lesson, I asked the students what discovery they had made yesterday about filling a ten-frame. They told me that when it is full, it has ten counters. I asked if they had to count the counters one-by-one to fill the ten-frame, or if they could just fill it up fast. Fill it up fast! Good! We were ready. I flashed the number 15 and counters started flying as the students built the number. As each student finished building 15, they threw their hands up in the air in victory. Of course, if they are counting from 1 to 10 to fill the ten-frame, they are never going to win, and they know it now. Next, we practiced counting on from 10. They put their whole hand over the filled ten-frame and said 10, then pointing to each counter on the second ten frame, they counted on from 10 (11, 12, 13, 14, 15). Finally, we wrote an equation for the number they had built. I had made a little recording sheet they could use that emphasizes the value of the full ten-frame and extra ones.

We practiced several more numbers using the same process. It was on the number 14 that the next shocker came. When I asked if they had had to count to fill the ten-frame, one student said, No, and he didn’t have to count the 4 either. I asked him to explain. He told me that he knew it was four because there was only one empty square on the row, and 4 and 1 make 5. I should note here that last week we were working on combinations for 5. I guess it paid off! After we had practiced about four numbers, the same student said he had noticed something. I asked what he had noticed. He told us that each of the numbers had a 1 to start it (eg., 13, 14, 15), and he said that the 1 went with the ten-frame. Just about that time, a second mathematician chimed in that the 5 were 5 ones. Quickly, I captured their thinking on the whiteboard (you can actually see it in the picture). I wrote the number 15 and labeled it tens and ones.

Now, if this does not seem monumental to you, please remember that these kiddos are in a remediation group, so I was thrilled at their thinking. What a testament to the math instruction on my campus! When the kiddos left the room, my AP and I had a happy dance! We were both beaming and jabbering on excitedly about their discoveries. And what a thrill when I checked my Twitter notifications at lunch and saw this sweet tweet (sorry for the rhyme). How awesome that an administrator spent a minute to make a teacher’s day!

Understanding Numbers from 11-19 Using Ten-Frames Tweet

Want to try it yourself? Grab a file with a double ten-frame the recording sheet here. Have fun!

8 Comments

  1. Tina O'Block

    What a wonderful lesson! It’s such an amazing feeling when you see the “light bulb” moment with your students. I liked how you guided them into discovering it for themselves instead of just telling them – makes it so much more meaningful and memorable for the kiddos!

    Reply
  2. Kim

    Can anyone recommend a K-6 assessment for number sense?

    Reply
  3. Nancy Belkov

    How lovely! Sounds like you posed a just right task for them and that the ten frame was a perfect tool to help them see the tens and ones!

    Reply
  4. Stephanie Nelson

    I am so excited that I have found your website! I recently started a job in a new county as a math interventionist after being in the classroom for 17 years. I love my new position but I sometimes feel like I am grasping at too many straws- This is the first math interventionist job for this school also. How do I share all of this great information with teachers without overwelming them or filling up their email? Right now I am pulling small groups of students, testing students, doing interventions, doing enrichment and teaching within the classroom during guided math lessons- it is overwelming! Do you have any suggestions? I want to support the teachers but I feel like I am taking on way too much-

    Reply
    • Donna Boucher

      I think you have already identified the best solution, Stephanie! There is way too much to try to do all at once, so you need to prioritize. You might start by asking the teachers how they think you could best help them. Let them help prioritize your time. Maybe keep two lists–to-do now and to-do in the future. I wish you the best of luck in your exciting new position!!

      Reply
  5. Doreen oneil

    Perfect timing! This lesson is just what we need right now. Love your information, I depend on you! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • Donna Boucher

      My pleasure! 🙂

      Reply
      • Sue Bellwood

        It’s the very best feeling in the world when your remedial kids ‘get it’ as they did in your wonderful lesson. So rewarding. Well done!!

        Reply

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