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!

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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