Get ready to learn about teaching the concept of ten more and ten less than a given number!
Why Do My Students Need to Understand the Concept of Ten More and Ten Less?
I have been on a number sense bandwagon for a few years now. I learned that developing number sense is critical for mathematical achievement. Number sense is to math as phonemic awareness is to reading. One component of number sense is understanding the relationship of numbers to one another.
Understanding the concept of ten more and ten less than a given number is also one of the most valuable mental math strategies. By mentally adding and subtracting multiples of ten, your students will be able to quickly estimate and solve math problems.
How Can I Teach the Concept?
I’ve sometimes been astounded (and honestly, frustrated) by what appears to me to be a simple, right-there concept, only to find students who have difficulty grasping it. This always got me thinking about how I could change my teaching methods to reach and teach my students in a more effective way.
While driving down the highway, I found myself brainstorming more compelling ways to teach this concept.
Previously, I’d emphasized the pattern on a hundred chart and spent considerable time modeling and practicing counting varied concrete materials by tens off a decade number (ex. 3, 13, 23, 33, etc.).
I’d also seen worksheets using base ten model representations.
I decided it would be worthwhile to back up a step, be more concrete and more explicit, and actually use base ten blocks to develop an understanding of the concept to reach more learners. Of course, linking real quantities to counting numbers helps to develop number sense.
So, I created an adorable free frog-themed activity to share with you.
This freebie includes:
- a tens and ones place value mat
- 12 number cards
- 2 recording sheets
This is a hands-on, concrete activity. Therefore, you will need to have base ten blocks handy.
The second recording sheet helps to reinforce the relationship or pattern of these numbers to each other on a one hundred-twenty chart.
How Do I Use This Activity?
Try this activity:
- with your whole class
- in your small instructional groups
- as an independent math center
Your students will:
- pick a number card
- build the number with base ten blocks
- draw lines and dots to represent the tens and ones
- show one less than the given number with base ten blocks
- draw to show one less than the given number
- repeat the steps to show and draw one more, ten less, and ten more than the given number
One More One Less Ten More Ten Less Developing Understanding with Base Ten Blocks can be downloaded for free from my TPT Store.
Engaging Ways For Your Students to Practice and Review Ten More and Ten Less
Need more ways for your learners to master the concepts of one more, one less, ten more, and ten less? Then, you’ll want to check these out!
1. 10 More 10 Less 1 More 1 Less Numbers to 120 Place Value Frog Puzzles and More
Give your students more hands-on practice with these frog-themed puzzles!
You’ll have on hand:
- 20 ten more ten less and one more one less puzzles
- 24 number cards
- an open-ended recording sheet
- 2 worksheets
Use these practice and review activities for your:
- small instructional or intervention groups
- math centers
- morning work
- seatwork
- homework
2. Ten More and Ten Less It’s a Party Task Card Activity
Here’s a unique way to give your students the practice and review they need! This small group task card math activity with a twist comes with built-in instructional supports in order to help you reach all your learners.
Use this activity in your:
- small instructional groups
- math centers
Your students will:
- pick a card
- say the number
- then, find the matching image on their recording sheet
- write the numbers that are ten more and/ or ten less
- and finally, color the matching image
Who will be the first to color all eight images?
Instructional supports include:
- a tens and ones mat
- highlighted one hundred chart and one hundred twenty chart
- a quick draw sheet
3. Ten More Ten Less Summer Camp Task Card Activity
Enjoy the same activity as above with a different theme- perfect for the end of school or summer school!
Click on the highlighted words to purchase these products from my TPT store.
Interested in More…
Start by finding out more about my “collect them all” task card activities in this blog post.
- Make Time for Summer Learning (links to a free telling time resource)
Then go ahead and celebrate National S’Mores Day (or any day) with this product for two-digit numbers that includes ten more and ten less!
- You Need to Try These Activities for S’More Fun (link to a free writing activity)
Let me know in the comments below how these resources work for you and your learners. There is always tweaking to be done!
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