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Make Ten

A ten frame with some counters in it. Pupils find how many more make 10, by seeing the empty spaces or tapping them to count. After a try that isn’t right, the empty spaces are numbered for them. Then the frame fills up and the game says the number bond, such as “7 and 3 make 10”. Choose a five frame to start with bonds to 5.

For EYFS–KS2. About 5 minutes. Number & thinking. Low sensory, no reading needed, works without sound.

What pupils practise

• Know number bonds to 5 and to 10
• See how many are missing without counting everything
• Use a ten frame to show a number
• Say number bonds in a sentence

Tips for teachers

• Start with the five frame and counters in order, then move on to ten.
• Scattered counters make pupils look at the empty spaces, not the pattern.
• Use a real ten frame and counters on the table alongside the game.
• Ask “how did you know?” and let pupils show the empty spaces.

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