Counting and Building Groups of Ten

Place Value | Standard Lesson

Pre-K Mathematics Place Value Standard Lesson Advanced Professional 5 Views

Professional Lesson Plan

Counting and Building Groups of Ten

Place Value | Standard Lesson

GradePre-K

SubjectMathematics

TopicPlace Value

Duration90 Minutes

Lesson TypeStandard Lesson

DifficultyAdvanced

Lesson Overview

Students explore the idea that ten small objects can be grouped together to make one larger group. Through counting, sorting, and building with manipulatives, they begin developing an early understanding of place value as "ones" and "a group of ten."

Learning Objectives

Count objects accurately up to 20 with one-to-one correspondence.
Group objects into sets of 10 using manipulatives.
Recognize that 10 ones can be counted as one group of ten.
Use simple language to describe groups of ones and tens.

Materials Needed

Counters, cubes, buttons, or math bears
Ten-frames
Small cups or bags for grouping
Large numeral cards 1-20
Chart paper and markers
Place value mat or two-column organizer labeled Ones and Tens
Crayons and crayons or pencils for recording
Optional: connecting cubes or craft sticks bundled in groups of 10

Vocabulary

Term	Definition
one	A single object or unit.
ten	A group of 10 ones.
group	Objects put together in a set.
count	To say numbers in order while touching each object.
place value	How a number is made using ones and tens.

Lesson Sequence

Warm-Up: Count and Move15 minutes

Teacher Actions

Lead the class in counting aloud to 20 using movements, claps, or jumps. Show number cards and have students identify the numbers together.

Student Actions

Count aloud, imitate movements, and point to or say the number on each card.

Exploration: Make a Ten20 minutes

Teacher Actions

Model placing 10 counters on a ten-frame. Emphasize counting each one and then circling the full frame to show one group of ten.

Student Actions

Build their own ten-frame with counters and count each object aloud with teacher support.

Guided Practice: Sort and Group20 minutes

Teacher Actions

Give each student 12-20 counters. Ask them to count out the objects, then make groups of 10 and put leftover objects in the ones area of a place value mat.

Student Actions

Count, group 10 objects together, and place extras in the ones section.

Practice: Build and Tell15 minutes

Teacher Actions

Have students show different sets such as 10, 11, 14, or 20 using manipulatives. Prompt them to say, 'I have one ten and four ones,' or similar simple statements.

Student Actions

Build the set, say how many tens and ones they have, and compare their work with a partner.

Wrap-Up Activity: Ten and Leftovers10 minutes

Teacher Actions

Display a collection of objects. Ask students to help decide whether they make a full ten and how many are left over. Record ideas on chart paper.

Student Actions

Participate in whole-group counting, group objects, and respond using place value language.

Independent/Center Time: Build It Again10 minutes

Teacher Actions

Set up a center with counters, ten-frames, and numeral cards. Circulate, observe, and support students as needed.

Student Actions

Independently choose a card, build the number, and show tens and ones on the mat.

Support

Use only numbers 1-10 first, then extend to 20 for students who need it.
Provide ten-frames already outlined with clear spaces for counters.
Allow students to count with a partner or teacher for extra support.
Use color coding for tens and ones areas.
Offer verbal sentence frames such as 'I see one ten and __ ones.'

Challenge

Ask students to build two different numbers that both have one ten.
Invite students to compare which number has more ones.
Challenge students to predict how many counters are needed to make the next full ten.
Have students explain why 10 counters can be counted as one group.

Checks for Understanding

Observe whether students count objects one at a time.
Listen for correct use of 'ten' and 'ones' in oral responses.
Check if students can make a group of 10 without help.
Ask individual students to show a number using tens and ones on the mat.

Closure

Review the key idea: 10 ones can be grouped together to make one ten. Invite students to show one last number with their fingers or counters and say it aloud using the words 'tens' and 'ones.'

Homework

Send home a simple family counting task: find 10 small objects at home, group them together, and draw or tell a grown-up how they make one ten. If possible, find another group of 10 objects and compare the two groups.