Math lesson plan · Kindergarten (Reception and Year 1 in England) · 30 minutes
Make 10 using a ten frame
Addition and subtraction
CCSS K.OA.A.4England: Reception NumberEngland: Y1 Addition and subtraction
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Make 10 using a ten frame.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Read a ten frame up to 10
Leads to: the next skill in this area.
Materials: Base-ten blocks, Number lines, Hundred square, Mini whiteboards and pens, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 4 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Read a ten frame up to 10). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- How many dots are in this ten frame? ● ● ● ● ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ → 4Prompt: A full row in a ten frame has 5 dots.
- How many more dots are needed to fill the ten frame? ● ● ● ● ● ● ○ ○ ○ ○ → 4Prompt: A full ten frame holds 10 dots.
- True or false? This ten frame shows fewer than 5 dots. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ○ ○ (True / False) → FalsePrompt: Look at the top row first. Is it full?
Hook · 3 min
- Give a real shopping total or a score difference and ask for a quick estimate first.
- Share the objective: Make 10 using a ten frame. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 7 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: How many more dots make 10? ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ○ ○
- Step 1: 8 + 2 = 10
- Step 2: 2
- Answer: 2
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 6 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- How many more dots make 10? ● ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ → 9Prompt: A full ten frame has 10 dots.
- 9 + __ = 10 → 1Prompt: Picture 9 dots in a ten frame.
You do: independent practice · 7 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 3 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- __ + 1 = 10 → 9Prompt: Picture 1 dot in a ten frame.
- How many more dots make 10? ● ● ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ → 8Prompt: A full ten frame has 10 dots.
Watch out for
- Subtracting the smaller digit from the bigger one in every column (52 − 17 = 45).
- Forgetting to add the regrouped (carried) ten.
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Read a ten frame up to 10.
- Use concrete materials: base-ten blocks.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/math/kindergarten.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder