The concept of counting can be a challenging task for many students in their early learning stages. Counting on ten frames is an excellent way for young students to learn counting, as it helps them develop a basic understanding of numbers and math.
Ten frames are rectangular grids of ten squares, with some left empty and others filled in. The ten frames can help students understand the relationship between numbers and quantities, by enabling them to visualize counting.
Here are some of the best activities to teach students to count on ten frames, up to five:
1. Counting with Finger Puppets
Finger puppets can be used to make counting more entertaining and interactive for young learners. Enlist the help of different finger puppets, each holding a number, as students use them to fill in their ten frames. For instance, if there are two finger puppets holding up the number two, students would fill in their ten frames with two squares.
2. Use Dice to Play a Game
Playing games is a fun way to teach students, and ten frames can be turned into a game that students can play. To play the game, you’ll need a ten frame and a die. Students take turns rolling the die and then filling in the correct number of squares on their ten frame. The winner is the first player to fill their ten frame.
3. Picture Walks
For visual learners, picture walks can be an excellent tool for counting on ten frames. Provide students with a set of picture cards and have them count the items on the card. Then, they can fill in the corresponding squares on their ten frame to reinforce the relationship between the number and quantity.
4. Stickers Craft
Young students will find this activity both fun and engaging. Provide each student with a ten frame and stickers of various shapes and colors. Ask them to grab a certain number of stickers and stick them in the squares. For instance, if they are meant to stick 3, they can fill in three squares with stickers.
5. Fill-in and Color
Provide each student with a printed ten frame and different color crayons, pencils, or markers. Ask students to fill in the ten frames with different colors to represent each number, i.e., yellow for one, red for two, and blue for three. This engaging activity allows them to personalize their learning while counting on ten frames.
In conclusion, starting with ten-frame activities highlights the fundamental concept of numbers that can encourage young students to enjoy math. These helpful activities provide interactive, visual experiences to learn counting skills, and can be natural steps to support student’s learning trajectory.
