Matching Objects to Numbers

To help our children learn mathematical concepts we use a number of hands-on manipulatives. Children learn in different ways - seeing concepts in action, listening to verbal instructions and key words, manipulating objects in various ways. In order to help our students learn that written and oral numbers can represent a certain set of objects, we use five and ten frames in our small group activities.

A five frame is a grid of five squares.

A ten frame is a grid of ten squares.

You can use them to represent numbers.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

We have been using the frames to help children count out math chips for various numbers from 1 to 10.  We hold up a card with a certain number written on it, orally say the number, and invite the children to represent the number on their frames.

In order to challenge children, we encourage them to think of the various combinations of numbers that compose new numbers (beginning addition). For example, the five and three on a ten frame equal 8.

5 + 3 = 8

You can help your child practice counting, representing, and adding at home by using your own five and ten frames available at these websites Five Frame PDF and Ten Frame PDF.