HomeBlogTens Frames in Early Stage 1: Building Number Sense
In this post01What Are Tens Frames?02Curriculum Alignment03Progressive Learning
Tens frames with counters showing numbers
Teaching Tips6 min read

Tens Frames in Early Stage 1: Building Number Sense

Tens frames scaffold subitising and develop foundational number understanding in K-2 learners.

ASR
Australian School Resources
28 May 2025 · K-Year 2 · Mathematics

What Are Tens Frames?

Tens frames are visual tools showing two rows of five boxes. Students place counters or draw dots to show numbers, making the relationship between part-whole and 10 concrete and visible.

Curriculum Alignment

Curriculum alignment: NSW Early Stage 1 (K-1): Students develop understanding of quantity, subitising, and number relationships. Foundation Year: Students build number sense through counting and visual recognition.

Progressive Learning

Pro tip: Use interactive tens frames (digital or physical) before worksheets. Kinesthetic manipulation builds understanding faster than passive observation.

More like this

Student on video call with teacher

Teaching Tips

Remote & Asynchronous Learning: Keeping Students Engaged

Strategies for maintaining engagement, pacing, and community when teaching remotely or asynchronously.

Students working at different learning levels

Teaching Tips

Differentiation: Teaching Mixed-Ability Classes Effectively

Strategies for meeting diverse learning needs within whole-class teaching, without creating separate curricula.

Teaching media literacy in a world of misinformation

Teaching Tips

Teaching media literacy in a world of misinformation

Practical teaching strategies and resources for teaching media literacy in a world of misinformation in Australian classrooms.