Ten Little Treasures: Learning the Number 10

Materials Needed

• 10 small safe objects, such as blocks, toy animals, buttons, or pom-poms
• Paper and crayons or washable markers
• Number cards from 1 to 10, or homemade cards
• A small basket or bowl
• Optional: play dough, music, and a favorite counting song

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, the child will be able to:

• Count objects from 1 to 10 in the correct order.
• Recognize the numeral 10.
• Show a group of 10 objects.
• Describe 10 as “a lot of ten things.”
• Use counting in a real-life activity.

Success Criteria

I can:

• Touch and count each object one time.
• Say the numbers 1 through 10.
• Find the number 10.
• Make a group with 10 objects.

Introduction: The Treasure Hunt

Hook: Say, “A friendly little bear needs help finding 10 treasures for a picnic. Can you help?”

Place the 10 objects around the learning area. Invite the child to find them and put them in the basket.

As each treasure is found, count slowly together: “1, 2, 3...” Continue until you reach 10.

Tell the child: “Today we are learning about the number 10. We will count 10 things, find the number 10, and make our own group of 10.”

Body of the Lesson

I Do: Watch Me Count

1. Place the 10 objects in a line.
2. Touch each object while counting aloud: “1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.”
3. Move the objects into a pile and count them again.
4. Show the numeral card 10 and say, “This is 10. It tells us there are ten objects.”

Think aloud: “I touched every object once. The last number I said was 10, so there are 10 objects.”

Quick Check

Ask:

• “What number did I say last?”
• “How many treasures are in the basket?”
• “Can you point to the number 10?”

We Do: Count and Move

Count together while doing one movement for each number:

• Clap 10 times.
• March 10 steps.
• Tap the table 10 times.
• Do 10 gentle jumps or wiggles.

Pause after each activity and ask, “Did we do 10?” Encourage the child to check by counting again.

Partner Talk or Think-and-Share

If another person is available, take turns answering:

• “What is something you might see 10 of?”
• “What would you put in a group of 10?”

For a one-on-one lesson, let the child talk to a stuffed animal or favorite toy.

We Do: Build a Group of 10

1. Place a small handful of objects nearby.
2. Ask the child to choose objects and place them in a row.
3. Count together as each object is placed down.
4. Stop when the group has 10 objects.
5. Place the number card 10 beside the group.

Formative assessment: Watch whether the child:

• Counts in order.
• Touches or moves one object for each number.
• Stops at 10.
• Matches the group to the numeral 10.

You Do: Choose a Number 10 Challenge

Let the child choose one activity:

Option A: Ten-Frame Snack

Draw two rows with five spaces in each row. Let the child place 10 small snacks, cereal pieces, or pretend foods into the spaces. Count them together before eating or putting them away.

Option B: Ten-Dot Picture

Ask the child to draw 10 dots. The child may turn the dots into balloons, flowers, stars, or bugs.

Option C: Play-Dough Ten

Make 10 small play-dough balls. Arrange them in a line, circle, or tower. Count them aloud.

Option D: Number Hunt

Look around the home for the numeral 10 on a clock, book, calendar, measuring tool, or game. Each time the child finds 10, say, “You found the number 10!”

Real-World Connection

Say, “People use groups of 10 every day. We might count 10 fingers, 10 toes, 10 crayons, or 10 steps.”

Invite the child to find one group of 10 in the home, such as 10 socks, 10 blocks, or 10 toys. Count carefully together.

Conclusion: Tell Me What You Learned

Place 10 objects and the number card 10 in front of the child. Ask the child to explain or demonstrate:

• “What number is this?”
• “Can you count these objects?”
• “Can you show me 10 fingers?”
• “What is one group of 10 you remember?”

Recap: “Today we learned that 10 means a group of ten things. We counted, moved, built, and found groups of 10.”

Summative Assessment: Show Me 10

Ask the child to complete these three tasks:

1. Choose 10 objects from a larger group.
2. Count the objects aloud while touching each one.
3. Choose the numeral 10 from several number cards.

Celebrate effort with specific feedback, such as, “You touched each object once and counted all the way to 10!”

Differentiation

For Extra Support

• Begin with groups of 3, 5, or 7, then gradually work toward 10.
• Use large objects that are easy to touch and move.
• Place objects in a straight line with space between them.
• Count slowly and use hand-over-hand guidance only when needed.
• Allow the child to repeat the same activity several times.

For an Extra Challenge

• Ask the child to find two groups that make 10, such as 4 and 6.
• Ask, “What happens if we take one away from 10?”
• Invite the child to write or trace the numeral 10.
• Ask the child to create a story about 10 animals going on an adventure.
• Challenge the child to count backward from 10 to 1.

Optional Follow-Up

During the day, look for groups of 10. Count 10 steps to the kitchen, place 10 toys in a basket, or count 10 bites during a snack. Keep the practice playful and brief.