Ten Frames

A ten frame is a visual tool that helps people understand numbers up to 10. It's a rectangular grid with two rows of five squares, and is often used with counters. 

How to use ten frames 

• Place counters in the squares to represent numbers

• Fill or empty the squares to show different numbers

• Use incomplete ten frames to help students make ten

Benefits of ten frames 

• Helps develop a strong sense of "ten"

• Helps understand that numbers are made up of tens and ones

• Helps develop number sense

• Helps visualize numbers and their relationships

Examples of ten frame activities: 

• Show students an image of a ten frame and ask them to subitize

• Use incomplete ten frames to help students make ten

• Ask questions like "how many more do you need to make ____"

A ten frame is used to represent numbers within and up to ten. Children can compose and decompose each number in a variety of ways which helps them develop number sense and to understand different visual representations of numbers.