Making 10 DIY Project

If you are a k-1 teacher who uses CCSS, you surely know about the importance of making 10.  It seems as if we work on this skill all year long.  I typically use my giant magnetic 10-frames as the kids use their student ones, but I wanted to have something larger to use for modeling and hands-on practice.  One of my summer projects this past month was to make a "Making 10 Ring."  For this project, you need the following:

• a small hula hoop
• a small pool noodle
• a knife
• number cards
• a large binder clip

To begin, slice your pool noodle across the side of it, making sure not to cut all the way through. Next, cut your noodle into 1-2 inch pieces.  Pop 10 of the pieces onto your hula hoop.  Clip a large binder ring in the middle to hold the number card of the number you will be making.  *I cut enough pieces of noodle to do everything from making 5 to making 20.  This pool noodle model will be great for whole-class demonstrations, Math tubs, or early finishers!  It's also simple to differentiate by using larger number cards and more pieces of noodle for your advanced kids or small number cards and less pieces of noodle for your struggling kids.  Easy-Peasy!  As a really easy center, you could have your kids write all the facts they can make with the noodle on their dry erase slates!  Easy-Peasy!

You can get some free b/w number cards by clicking the cover picture below.  They aren't as large as the ones shown in my picture.  Those colorful ones can be found HERE.  

xo

Megan