Counting by tens
About the Lesson
Counting by tens helps students see how numbers grow in groups and patterns. Instead of counting one by one, they learn that ten ones make one ten. Students will practice skip-counting by tens using number charts, number lines, and real-life objects like bundles of sticks or coins.
This skill builds place value understanding, prepares for multiplication, and makes counting faster and more efficient.
Examples
๐ Counting with Objects
โMy Pencilsโ
โ Beginning: โI tied 10 pencils in a bundle.โ
โ Middle: โThen I tied another 10โnow 20 pencils.โ
โ End: โFinally, with 3 bundles, I counted 30 pencils.โ
๐ Number Line Order
โThe Kangaroo Hopsโ
โ First: โIt jumps to 10.โ
โ Next: โIt jumps to 20.โ
โ Last: โIt lands on 30.โ
๐ Tens Frame Pattern
โCounting Dimesโ
โ First: โOne dime is 10 cents.โ
โ Next: โTwo dimes is 20 cents.โ
โ Last: โThree dimes is 30 cents.โ
Learning Objectives
โ
Count forward by tens up to 100 (OAS 1.N.1.4).
โ
Understand that ten ones = one ten (OAS 1.N.1.2, CCSS 1.NBT.B.2).
โ
Recognize and extend skip-counting patterns on charts and number lines.
โ
Connect counting by tens to real objects (bundles, coins, base-ten blocks).
โ
Compare numbers by tens (more than/less than).
Fun Practice Activities
1. Counting by Tens Worksheet โ๏ธ
Part 1: Fill in missing numbers: 10, __, 30, __, 50, โฆ
Part 2: Match bundles of ten objects to the correct number (e.g., 4 bundles = 40).
๐ Worksheet Answer Key: Count bundles aloud as a class: โ10, 20, 30, 40!โ
2. Interactive Skip-Counting Quiz ๐๏ธ
Materials: Number cards (10โ100), base-ten blocks, coins
Number Order Challenge:
โWhat comes AFTER 40?โ
a) 50
b) 45
c) 60
โ Action: Students hold up card โ50โ and say: โTen more than 40 is 50.โ
Missing Number Slam:
โComplete: 10, 20, __, 40โ
a) 30
b) 25
c) 50
โ Action: Students write correct answer on whiteboards (30).
Real-Life Connection:
Show 3 dimes โ Ask: โHow much money?โ โ Answer: 30 cents.
Number Fixer:
โFix this sequence: 10, 40, 20, 30โ
โ Action: Students reorder themselves while chanting:
โ10, 20, 30, 40.โ
Offline Homework: Tens Counting Flip Book ๐
๐ Instructions:
Choose a theme (e.g., bundles of sticks, balloons, dimes).
Create Flip Book:
Page 1: Draw/Write 10 items (โ1 bundle = 10โ)
Page 2: Draw/Write 20 items (โ2 bundles = 20โ)
Page 3: Draw/Write 30 items (โ3 bundles = 30โ)
Add Number Tabs: Green=10, Yellow=20, Red=30.
Share: Present to family by counting aloud: โ10, 20, 30 โฆโ and showing the bundles.
This lesson helps students master counting by tens to see number patterns, connect tens to real objects, and strengthen place value understanding.
