Number Bonds to 10 – Tens Frames

Description

Help children develop their understanding of number bonds to 10 with this visual and practical tens frames maths activity. The number bonds are represented using tens frames to clearly show how numbers can be composed and combined to make 10.

Children are encouraged to count the yellow counters shown in each tens frame and use what they can see to complete the corresponding number sentences. The visual representation helps children recognise the relationship between the two parts and the whole, supporting their understanding of part-part-whole relationships.

Using tens frames provides children with a structured way to explore number composition. Rather than simply recalling number bonds, children can see how the quantities fit together to make a complete set of 10.

This resource is ideal for Early Years and KS1 and can be used during whole-class maths lessons, small-group activities, interventions, independent learning or continuous provision. It is particularly useful for introducing and reinforcing the important concept of number bonds to 10.

Children can practise:

Learning number bonds to 10
Recognising quantities within 10
Counting accurately
Understanding number composition
Exploring part-part-whole relationships
Completing number sentences
Using tens frames to represent numbers
Developing early addition skills
Recognising patterns in number bonds
Developing mathematical reasoning and number sense

For further investigation, provide children with blank tens frames and double-sided counters as part of classroom provision. Children can use the counters to explore different ways of making 10, physically moving and turning the counters to create different combinations.

Encourage children to explain their discoveries using mathematical language, such as “6 and 4 make 10”, “I need 3 more to make 10” or “7 and 3 are a number bond to 10.” This helps children develop confidence in communicating their mathematical thinking.

You could also challenge children to record the combinations they discover as number sentences and look for patterns. Exploring number bonds practically and visually helps children build a secure foundation for later learning about addition, subtraction, missing number problems and number bonds to 20.

This flexible resource is a useful addition to maths provision, giving children opportunities to revisit and deepen their understanding of number bonds to 10 through counting, visual representation and hands-on investigation.