Tens and Ones

1Bundles of Ten

When we count past 9, we make a bundle of ten. This bundle is called a "ten." The number 10 is one ten and zero ones.

Think of 10 pencils held together by a rubber band. That is one "ten." Add one more pencil outside the bundle, and you have one ten + one = 11.

2Reading Two-Digit Numbers

In the number 24, the 2 is in the tens place — it means 2 tens, or 20. The 4 is in the ones place — it means 4 ones. So 24 = 20 + 4.

Practice with a partner. Say a number like "47." The other person says: "4 tens and 7 ones." Switch roles. This builds a strong number sense.

3Building Numbers

Use blocks, sticks, or drawings to build numbers. Make 32 by stacking 3 tens and adding 2 ones. Make 56 with 5 tens and 6 ones.

When you can see and touch the tens and ones, the numbers stop being just symbols on a page. They become real quantities you can feel.

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