Number bonds
Number bonds are pairs of numbers that add up to a given total, like 3 and 7 making 10. Knowing them by heart makes adding and subtracting much faster.
Maths · Ages 5–6 · 45 minutes
Number bonds to 10
Children find and recall the pairs of whole numbers that make 10 and use a ten frame to explain how they know.
Success criteria
- I can make 10 on a ten frame
- I can find the missing part
- I can say a bond to 10 quickly
Key vocabulary
- number bond
- part
- whole
- make
- ten frame
- missing
You will need
- ten frames
- two-colour counters
- part-whole mats
- mini whiteboards
- a bag of 10 cubes
Curriculum links
- Year 1· England
- Kindergarten· United States
- Primary 1· Nigeria
- Class 1· India
- Common Core K.OA.A.2: Solve addition and subtraction word problems within 10 using objects or drawings.
- Common Core 1.OA.C.6: Add and subtract within 20, being fluent within 10, using strategies such as making ten.
- England NC Y1.MA.ASN.2: Represent and use number bonds and related subtraction facts within 20.
Practice sheets
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Ten frames: make 10
Number bonds
Missing numbers
1.Starter
7 minutesHold up ten fingers. Fold down three. "How many are still up? How many are down? So 7 and 3 make..." Children chant "10". Repeat with other numbers of fingers down, getting quicker.
Then play "Hide the cubes": put 10 cubes in a bag, pull out 6. "I had 10. Six are out. How many are hiding?" Children show the answer with fingers, then you tip out the bag to check.
2.Teach
12 minutesShow a ten frame with 6 red counters.
"A ten frame has ten spaces, five on top and five underneath. I've got 6 red counters. How many empty spaces? I don't need to count all of them. The top row is full, so that's 5, and one more is 6. Four spaces left on the bottom row."
Fill the gaps with 4 yellow counters. "Six red and four yellow. 6 and 4 make 10. That's a number bond to 10."
Draw a part-whole model next to it: the whole (10) in the top circle, the parts (6 and 4) underneath.
Step by step
- Look at the frameHow many counters are already there?
- Look at the gapsThe empty spaces are the missing part.
- Say the bond"6 and 4 make 10" and "4 and 6 make 10" are the same bond turned round.
Now build the list together, moving one counter at a time: 10 and 0, 9 and 1, 8 and 2... down to 0 and 10. "What do you notice? When one part goes down by one, the other goes up by one."
