Same Math › Grades K–1 › Ten frames
What is a ten frame?
A ten frame is a box of two rows of five. Kids fill it with dots or counters to see a number at a glance, and to see how far it is from 10.
- The top row holds 5. Kids fill it first, left to right.
- 7 is 5 and 2 more. No counting needed once you know the shape.
- The empty boxes show what's left: 7 + 3 = 10
Why schools teach it
It builds number sense without counting
Kindergartners are expected to find the number that makes 10 with any number from 1 to 9 (K.OA.A.4). On a ten frame that's just the empty boxes. After a while, kids see 7 and know "3 more" instantly.
Two frames side by side show the teen numbers: 14 is one full ten and 4 more (K.NBT.A.1). That's the first step toward place value.
At the kitchen table
What to say, and what to skip
Say this
How many do you see? How did you know without counting?
"5 on top and 2 more" is the thinking teachers want.How many more to fill the frame?
How many empty boxes are there?
Another way to ask how many more make 10.Can you show me 6 in a different way?
Skip this
- Counting every dot one by one every time.Fine at first, but the goal is to see the number from its shape.
- Placing dots anywhere in the frame.Classes usually fill the top row first, left to right, so the shapes are always the same.
Teen numbers are just counting past 10.
Showing 14 as 10 and 4 is the start of place value.
See it in action
How a kindergartner reads 8 on a ten frame
See the full top row
5See 3 more on the bottom row
5 and 3 is 8Count the empty boxes
8 + 2 = 10
With practice, kids stop counting and just recognize the shape of 8.
Free practice sheet
Make a ten frame sheet
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Parents: tell your child's teacher about this guide
Parents also ask
We don't have a ten frame. Can we make one?
Yes. An egg carton cut to 10 cups works well, or draw 2 rows of 5 boxes on paper.
Why fill the top row first?
So the same number always makes the same shape, which helps kids recognize it without counting.
How is this connected to number bonds?
A ten frame showing 7 also shows the bond 7 and 3 make 10. Many classes use both.
When do kids stop using ten frames?
Usually in 1st grade, once making 10 and teen numbers are solid.