Do you use ten frames in your math lessons and centers? What an amazing math tool they are!
For counting and cardinality, a blank frame is a perfect organizational tool for counting small manipulatives. Have you tried a "Shake and Spill" activity? Students put ten counters in a small container, give it a shake, spill out a few, and then arrange them on the ten frame to count them.
This activity also lays the groundwork for subitizing, since it will help children develop an instantaneous memory of how a quantity looks - so useful for mental math!
Early on, it's good to model traditional placement of counters... horizontal, top row first, left to right, then bottom row left to right.
* Do you know that "traditional horizontal placement" is not the only correct way to fill a ten frame? Keep reading for more info on that!
Ten frames are a great "pictorial bridge" as you guide your students from the concrete to the abstract stage. They can be used like flashcards, as an easy addition to your calendar time or as a math lesson warm-up. With practice, your students will identify the number a ten frame represents every bit as quickly and automatically as they read sight words!
I could go on and on about uses for ten frames... complements of ten, addition as counting on, missing addends, adding doubles, ... but one use that I think is easy to overlook is using ten frames to make the concepts of odd and even clear.
Early on, it's good to model traditional placement of counters... horizontal, top row first, left to right, then bottom row left to right.
* Do you know that "traditional horizontal placement" is not the only correct way to fill a ten frame? Keep reading for more info on that!
Ten frames are a great "pictorial bridge" as you guide your students from the concrete to the abstract stage. They can be used like flashcards, as an easy addition to your calendar time or as a math lesson warm-up. With practice, your students will identify the number a ten frame represents every bit as quickly and automatically as they read sight words!
I could go on and on about uses for ten frames... complements of ten, addition as counting on, missing addends, adding doubles, ... but one use that I think is easy to overlook is using ten frames to make the concepts of odd and even clear.
To do this, have your students turn their blank ten frames into a vertical orientation. Show them how to begin at the top and work down as they cover spaces, left to right and then next row. Odd vs. even becomes a very visual concept!
Here's a free set of seasonal ten frame cards so you can try out some of the ideas. Footballs! Click here or on the image to download from Google Drive.
The football cards are part of this autumn math set: 8 fall themes, 3 games, and 2 sets of number cards for matching. Click here or on the picture to see it at my Teachers Pay Teachers store.
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Do you have a unique way of using ten frames in your classroom?
Happy Teaching!
Thank you so much for this! I love the idea of turning the ten frame vertically. I looked at the other website and LOVED it! It absolutely makes so much sense. Thanks again for sharing it. It is so useful!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Laura! It makes a lot of sense to apply a known tool for a new purpose.
DeleteLinda
Thanks for sharing the helpful website! Smiles, Jayne
ReplyDeleteSmart Kids
ABCs of Reading
You're welcome, Jayne! Their video clips give good clear explanations, don't you think?
DeleteLinda