Game of Tens and Ones

Game of Tens and Ones helps children to understand the concept that 1 of these (cupcake liners) is equal to 10 of those (little counters). Over time, they will see ten as a unit made of ten ones and will be able to use tens as a unit to count. This is a useful mathematical strategy to know as counting by tens is much quicker than counting by ones.

We grouped counters in groups of tens by placing ten counters in each cupcake liner.

When they finished making up their numbers using counters, we counted on from the bundles of ten (e.g. 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60. 70. 80. 90), then ones (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) to make sure they their counters matched their given numeral.

We can also use ice cream sticks to teach the concept of tens and ones.