Counting is one of the most essential skills that students learn in their early years of education. It forms the foundation of mathematics, and mastery of counting helps build problem-solving skills that can be applied in a wide range of real-world situations. One fun and effective way of teaching counting to young students is using a ten frame. A ten frame is a grid consisting of two rows and five columns that can hold ten counters or objects, and is a useful visual tool to help students learn counting, addition and subtraction. Here are some activities that teachers can use to help their students master counting using a ten frame.
1. Counting with Bingo
Bingo is a popular game that can be adapted to help students learn counting using a ten frame. To play this game, the teacher can prepare some bingo cards with ten frames drawn on them, and give each student a set of counters. The teacher then calls out numbers in sequence, and students cover the corresponding numbers on their cards with counters. The first student to cover all the numbers on their card can shout “Bingo!” and win the game.
2. Memory Match
Memory Match is a popular game played with flashcards, where students match pairs of identical cards. Teachers can use similar sets of cards to help students learn counting using a ten frame. To prepare the cards, the teacher can draw ten frames with different numbers of counters on them, and arrange them in a random order. Students then take turns flipping over two cards and trying to match the counters on the ten frames. Students who successfully match a pair of cards get to keep them, and the student who collects the most cards at the end of the game is the winner.
3. Roll and Fill
This game is perfect for teaching counting and addition, and can be played with a single ten frame and a pair of dice. The teacher can give each student a set of counters and a ten frame, and ask them to roll the dice. The students then place a counter on the ten frame for each dot on the dice they rolled, until they fill the ten frame completely. They then start over, rolling the dice and filling the ten frame again. The goal is to fill the ten frame as many times as possible in a given time frame.
4. I Spy
This game requires some observational skills, and can be played with a large group of students. To play this game, the teacher can display a ten frame with some counters on it, and then say “I spy with my little eye, something that has three counters”. Students then look at the ten frame and try to identify the grouping of counters that matches the teacher’s clue. The first student to correctly identify the grouping can then take a turn and give a clue.
5. Shape Up
For this game, the teacher can create several ten frames in different shapes and sizes, and ask students to fill them with counters. The shapes can vary from simple shapes like squares and rectangles to more complex ones like triangles and circles. Students can use different colored counters to create patterns, which can help them develop their problem-solving skills.
In conclusion, using a ten frame is a fun and effective way of teaching counting to young students. These activities can be easily adapted to different age groups and skill levels, and can help students develop their counting, problem-solving, and observation skills in a fun and engaging way.
