Ten‑frames and number bonds give students two powerful ways to understand number combinations that make 10. Together, they help children in Grade 1 see how numbers are built, how they can be taken apart, and how they relate to the number 10. This strategy strengthens early number sense by pairing a visual model with a part–whole model, allowing students to move naturally from concrete understanding to more abstract thinking.

🧩 What Students Will Do in This Strategy

• Count counters into a ten‑frame
• Identify how many are filled and how many are empty
• Build number bonds that match the ten‑frame
• Explain how the parts make the whole
• Practice with both models until the connection feels natural and automatic

🟦 How Ten‑Frames Support Counting to 10

Ten‑frames help students see numbers. By filling squares one at a time, students develop a sense of quantity, structure, and the idea of “how many more to make 10.” The consistent layout supports subitizing, pattern recognition, and early addition.

Students learn to:

• Recognize numbers instantly by their visual pattern
• Connect counting to a structured visual model

🔗 How Number Bonds Support Making 10

Number bonds help students name the parts that make a whole. When paired with ten‑frames, they reinforce the idea that every number can be broken apart and put back together in different ways.

Students learn to:

• Represent a number as two parts
• Understand part–whole relationships
• Build fluency with combinations that make 10

🎯 Why This Strategy Matters

Making 10 helps students see structure in numbers, notice patterns, and build efficient addition strategies. By pairing a visual model with a part–whole model, students develop a deeper understanding of how numbers can be composed and decomposed, a foundation that supports fluency well beyond this unit.