Building Number Sense with Double Ten Frame Cards

If you're working with students who are still developing strong number sense, especially with numbers 0 through 20, double ten frame cards are an essential tool to add to your math instruction toolkit. Whether you teach kindergarten or early elementary students, these cards can help children make sense of quantities, subitize, and build a firm foundation in math fluency.

This set of Double Ten Frame Cards to help students visualize numbers in different ways and increase their flexibility with composing and decomposing numbers. There are a total of 168 cards included in this resource with 8 cards of each number.  These cards are easy to prep, simple to use, and incredibly versatile!

Why Use Double Ten Frames?

Double ten frames help students:

• Understand numbers beyond 10 in a visual format

• See how numbers are composed (5 + 7 = 12) and decomposed (12 = 10 + 2)

• Develop fluency with addition and subtraction facts

• Build confidence in working with teen numbers

Classroom & At-Home Ideas

Here are some simple ways you can use these double ten frame cards in your classroom or at home:

1. Independent Math Centers
Set up a matching game where students match numeral cards with double ten frame representations. This can be self-checking or used with a partner.

2. Small Group Intervention
Use the cards in a guided group to model combinations of 10 and 20. This is especially helpful for students who need visual reinforcement.

3. Exit Tickets or Quick Checks
Display a double ten frame card and ask students to write the corresponding number and a number sentence.

4. Take-Home Practice
Send a set of cards home with simple instructions for parents. This is an easy way to encourage extra practice in a familiar format.

Printed and laminated double ten frame cards laid out on a desk.

Where to Find the Cards

You can find the full set of Double Ten Frame Cards (168 cards total) in my TeachersPayTeachers store.

These are perfect for guided math, RTI groups, early finishers, and center rotations. I hope you and your students find them as helpful as I have!

I’d love to hear how you use ten frames in your classroom! Leave a comment or tag me on Instagram @mrleeslearners.

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From Timed Tests to Strategy-Based Fluency: A Positive Shift in Math Instruction

For many of us, the words “timed test” still bring a rush of anxiety. Rows of facts, ticking clocks, and pressure to perform fast—this was the traditional approach to mastering math facts. As a teacher, I’ve seen how this method can cause unnecessary stress, especially for students who are still developing number sense. That’s why I’ve embraced a shift in my classroom: moving away from timed tests and toward strategy-based fluency.

What Is Strategy-Based Fluency?

Rather than memorizing isolated facts, students learn and apply strategies that help them understand how numbers work together. These strategies include:

• Counting on (e.g., for 3 + 2, start at 3 and count up two)
• Making ten (e.g., turning 8 + 5 into 10 + 3)
• Using doubles (e.g., knowing 6 + 6 helps with 6 + 7)
• Decomposing numbers (e.g., breaking apart 9 + 6 into 9 + 1 + 5)

These are not just tricks—they're foundational ways to build number sense. When students understand these patterns and relationships, math facts become easier to recall and apply.

Why Move Away from Timed Tests?

Timed tests often favor speed over understanding. While some students thrive under pressure, many don’t. I’ve seen capable, thoughtful learners freeze up when the timer starts. Worse, students can start to believe they’re “bad at math” simply because they don’t process quickly.

Fluency should mean more than speed—it should reflect accuracy, flexibility, and efficiency. By focusing on strategy, we’re giving students the tools to think through problems instead of rushing to remember.

What This Looks Like in the Classroom

In my small group math intervention setting, we focus on:

• Math talks where students share different ways to solve the same problem
• Games that encourage repeated practice in a fun, low-pressure setting
• Visual models (like ten frames and number bonds) to represent strategies
• Celebrating strategy use instead of just correct answers

It’s a beautiful thing to hear a student say, “I used doubles plus one!” instead of “I just knew it.” That shift shows deeper thinking and sets the foundation for more complex math later on.

The Outcome: Confident, Capable Mathematicians

Since making this change, I’ve seen less math anxiety and more enthusiasm. Students who once dreaded fluency practice now approach it with curiosity and confidence. They know they don’t have to be the fastest—they just need to be thoughtful.

As educators, we want our students to be fluent, but we also want them to love math, feel safe taking risks, and see themselves as capable problem-solvers. Moving from timed tests to strategy-based fluency is a key step in that direction.

Let’s continue to build classrooms where math makes sense—and where every learner feels they belong.

🧮 Building Number Sense with Domino and Dot Pattern Cards

Understanding numbers—what they represent, how they relate, and how they can be composed or decomposed—is the foundation of early math success. That’s why I love using Domino and Dot Pattern Cards with my students. These simple, versatile tools pack a powerful punch when it comes to developing number sense, subitizing, and early addition skills.

In this post, I’ll share how I use these cards in small group instruction and independent practice, plus how you can grab a set for your classroom!

🔍 What Are Domino and Dot Pattern Cards?

These are printable cards that feature traditional domino patterns on one side and dot arrangements (like dice or ten-frame formats) on the other. They’re designed to help students:

• Recognize quantities without counting (subitizing)
• Compare and compose numbers
• Build fluency with addition and number bonds
• Strengthen visual number sense

🛠️ How I Use Them in the Classroom

These cards are incredibly flexible. Here are some of my favorite ways to use them:

1. Quick Subitizing Warm-Ups

Start math group with a quick flash of a dot card. Ask:

• “How many dots do you see?”
• “How did you know that so quickly?”
• “Can you make that number a different way?”

2. Matching and Memory Games

Use a mix of domino and dot cards to have students:

• Match equal values across different visual formats
• Play a memory game where they find matching sums
• Sort by odd/even or “more than/less than”

3. Build-a-Number Tasks

Give students a target number and have them:

• Find all domino cards that add up to that number
• Create number sentences using the dots (“3 + 4 = 7”)
• Explain how they found it using math talk

💡 Why These Cards Make a Difference

Many students who struggle with math lack a strong mental image of numbers. Dot patterns help them build this internal number model. The repetitive exposure to structured visuals increases fluency and reduces over-reliance on counting.

These cards are especially helpful for students who are below grade level or need hands-on, visual reinforcement.

📥 Grab the Set for Your Classroom

Want to try these in your small groups or math centers?

👉 Download the full set of Domino and Dot Pattern Cards here on TpT!

You’ll receive:

• 60+ printable domino and dot cards
• Ideas for 6+ hands-on activities
• Blackline versions for easy printing
• Bonus student recording sheets

🧑‍🏫 Teacher Tip

Laminate your cards for durability and let students use dry-erase markers to write number sentences directly on the table or a wipe-off mat as they work with the cards!

🗨️ Let’s Build Number Confidence Together

Do you use visual patterns to teach number sense? What’s your go-to small group number routine? Drop a comment below or tag me on Instagram @MrLeesLearners with how your students are using the cards!

Multiplication Fact Fluency - Quick Draw

Multiplication fact fluency is so critical for students to be more successful in upper elementary grades. A game that I use to help develop fact fluency is Quick Draw. In the realm of educational games, Quick Draw stands out as a dynamic and engaging card game designed to make learning multiplication a breeze. Created to reinforce the multiples of 2, 5, and 10, the Quick Draw Multiplication Game is an excellent resource for teachers and parents alike. In this blog post, we'll explore the game's concept, its benefits, and how it can be a valuable addition to any educational toolkit.

The Quick Draw Multiplication Game:

Quick Draw is a card game that combines the excitement of a fast-paced challenge with the fundamental principles of multiplication. The game is designed for students learning the multiplication tables of 2, 5, and 10. With colorful and visually appealing cards, the game makes learning not only effective but also enjoyable.

Sample Game with Multiples of 2

The goal of Quick Draw is to reinforce multiplication skills in a way that feels more like play than traditional rote memorization. The game consists of a set of cards, each featuring multiplication problems related to the targeted multiples. Players compete to quickly solve these problems and be the first to draw the correct answer from the deck. The element of speed adds an extra layer of excitement, making it an engaging learning experience.

Directions and multiples sheet included!

Key Benefits of Quick Draw Multiplication Game:

1. Active Learning: Quick Draw encourages active participation, turning multiplication practice into an interactive and enjoyable experience. The game format allows students to apply what they've learned in a hands-on way, reinforcing the material more effectively.

2. Improves Mental Math: The fast-paced nature of the game hones mental math skills. Players must quickly calculate the correct answers, promoting fluency and automatic recall of multiplication facts.

3. Enhances Memory Retention: By transforming multiplication practice into a game, Quick Draw makes the learning process more memorable. The combination of visual cues on the cards and the excitement of the game helps solidify multiplication facts in the players' memory.

4. Versatile Learning Tool: Whether used in the classroom or at home, Quick Draw is a versatile learning tool. It can be employed in various settings, such as small group activities, one-on-one tutoring, or as an independent practice tool.

The Quick Draw Multiplication Game on Teachers Pay Teachers:

The Quick Draw Multiplication Game is available in my Teachers Pay Teachers store, Mr. Lee's Learner's, which includes a vast collection of various educational resources. The product Quick Draw Multiples of 2, 5, and 10 provides an easy-to-use, downloadable version of the game, making it accessible to teachers, parents, and educators worldwide.

In the world of education, finding innovative ways to make learning enjoyable is crucial. The Quick Draw Multiplication Game successfully combines fun and education, offering a valuable tool for reinforcing multiplication skills. As students eagerly engage in this fast-paced card game, they not only enhance their multiplication proficiency but also cultivate a positive attitude towards learning—an invaluable asset for any educational journey. Consider adding Quick Draw to your educational toolkit and watch as multiplication mastery becomes an exciting adventure for young learners.

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Multiplication Fact Fluency - Treasure Hunt Game

Multiplication fact fluency is a fundamental skill especially in third and fourth grade that serves as a cornerstone for a child's mathematical development. It is the ability to swiftly and accurately recall multiplication facts, such as 7 x 8 = 56 or 6 x 9 = 54, without the need for counting or using a calculator. This fluency not only empowers students to perform mathematical operations with ease but also enhances their problem-solving skills. Without a strong foundation in multiplication facts, more advanced mathematical concepts become significantly more challenging to grasp. Proficiency in multiplication lays the groundwork for a variety of mathematical topics, from division and fractions to algebra and calculus, making it an indispensable skill for any student's academic journey.

Furthermore, multiplication fact fluency carries real-world significance. In everyday life, we encounter situations where quick mental calculations are essential, whether it's calculating the cost of items at the grocery store, determining the right tip at a restaurant, or figuring out the total time spent on a task. Strong multiplication fact fluency equips individuals with the tools to make these calculations effortlessly, instilling confidence and efficiency in their daily lives. By developing this skill early on, students are not only better prepared for future mathematical challenges but also more equipped to tackle the mathematical demands of adulthood, improving their problem-solving abilities and overall mathematical competence.

Treasure Hunt - Multiples of 2

The Treasure Hunt game is an engaging and effective tool for reinforcing multiplication fact fluency in a fun and interactive manner. Just like in traditional multiplication, this game encourages students to quickly recall multiplication facts while searching for hidden treasures. By turning learning into a captivating adventure, Treasure Hunt not only makes the process enjoyable but also enhances retention and recall. This active participation in multiplication drills allows students to practice and reinforce their skills, making it a valuable addition to any math curriculum. Just as multiplication fact fluency forms the foundation for advanced mathematical concepts, Treasure Hunt serves as a foundational learning tool, equipping students with the mathematical prowess needed for success in the classroom and beyond.

                                          

Looking to try Treasure Hunt in your classroom? Check out Treasure Hunt Game - Multiples of 2 for free on TeachersPayTeachers or get the entire Treasure Hunt Bundle which includes multiples of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 while saving close to 40%!  

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Nurturing Number Sense and Mastering Make 10: A Foundation for Elementary Math Success

Mathematics is more than numbers and equations; it's a gateway to logical thinking, problem-solving, and critical reasoning. In the realm of elementary education, the concepts of number sense and the Make 10 addition strategy stand as pillars that fortify students' mathematical prowess. Let's delve into the importance of these concepts and how they shape the future of our young learners.

Understanding Number Sense

Number sense is the bedrock upon which mathematical understanding is built. It's not just about knowing numbers but comprehending their relationships, patterns, and significance. A child with strong number sense can fluidly maneuver through calculations, estimate quantities, and approach mathematical problems with confidence.

The Magic Behind Make 10 Addition Strategy

Enter the realm of Make 10 addition strategy, a simple yet transformative approach. Imagine this: when a student understands that numbers can be broken down into pairs that make 10 (like 3 + 7 or 4 + 6), they open a door to quick mental calculations and a deeper grasp of addition. Make 10 is a strategy that not only simplifies calculations but also encourages critical thinking.

Benefits Unveiled

• Problem-Solving Proficiency: Number sense and the Make 10 strategy cultivate young minds into adept problem solvers. Students learn to approach mathematical challenges creatively, using diverse strategies to find solutions.
• Math Fact Mastery: The Make 10 strategy acts as a stepping stone toward math fact mastery. When students grasp this concept, they build a strong foundation for tackling more complex math problems in the future.
• Confidence in Mathematics: A solid understanding of numbers fosters confidence in students. It's not just about the right answer; it's about understanding the why behind it.
• Collaborative Learning: These concepts promote classroom collaboration. Students can share their approaches to problem-solving, learning from each other's insights and fostering a supportive math community.

A Valuable Resource

To bring the power of the Make 10 strategy to your classroom, we've curated a TeachersPayTeachers resource that can elevate your teaching game. The Make 10 Addition Strategy Task Cards are designed to provide hands-on, engaging practice. These task cards are not just about solving problems; they're about developing mathematical reasoning, fluency, and a love for numbers.

Note: For practical application, explore the Make 10 Addition Strategy Task Cards available on TeachersPayTeachers, designed to bring the magic of Make 10 directly to your classroom.

As educators, we have the privilege of nurturing young minds and preparing them for a future that will inevitably demand mathematical competence. By instilling a strong sense of numbers and introducing essential strategies like Make 10, we equip our students with the tools they need to excel not only in math but in life's countless challenges.

So, let's journey together into the world of numbers, fostering a love for math and a generation of critical thinkers.

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