Build Groups of Ten and Ones

Build Groups of Ten and Ones

What students learn

Students learn that ten single ones can be grouped into one ten. They practice seeing a two-digit number as a group of tens plus some extra ones. Start with Tens and Ones: Build Teen Numbers with Blocks so students can see teen numbers made from a ten and extra ones.

Why it matters

Grouping by tens helps students count faster and understand the numbers they use every day. It prepares them for addition, subtraction, money, and reading numbers to 100. For a musical memory hook, use Place Value Song: Hear Ten Ones Make Ten after students have built one group of ten with objects.

Learn the idea

A one is a single item. When you collect ten ones, you can call that group one ten. Watch Place Value: Understand Ones and Tens while thinking about why the same digit can mean different amounts in different places. The number 14 means 1 ten and 4 ones. The number 30 means 3 tens and 0 ones.

Try it

Give the student 23 small objects. Ask them to make groups of ten, then count the leftover ones. After the first build, use Place Value: Group Ten Ones Together to check how ten single ones can be bundled, then replay Tens and Ones: Count Blocks as One Ten before trying 10, 17, 40, and 58.

Parent guide

Use beans, buttons, blocks, or drawings. Let the child physically move ten objects into a group before naming it as one ten. If the child counts every object again, gently ask, "Can we count this group as ten instead?" Extend the lesson by asking the child to draw quick tens as sticks and ones as dots.