Number Bonds to 10
To develop automatic recall of all number bonds to 10.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Mathematics
- Learning area: Mathematics
- Level: EYFS Reception
Objectives
- Recalls some bonds to 10 rapidly
- Uses ten frame
- Identifies missing parts
- Applies bonds in calculation
Materials
- Ten frames
- Two-colour counters
- Number bond rainbows
- Bond to 10 bingo
Instructions
Use the ten frame systematically. Fill all 10 spaces, then lift counters one at a time from the right: '10 and 0. 9 and 1. 8 and 2...' Always show the whole ten frame full first so children understand they're partitioning ten.
Create bond rainbows: draw an arc from 0-10. Connect 1 and 9 with a coloured arc, 2 and 8 with another, 3 and 7... The visual arc pattern makes bonds memorable and reveals the symmetry of the number system.
Sing bond songs to familiar tunes: '1 and 9 make 10, 1 and 9 make 10, hi-ho the derry-oh, 1 and 9 make 10!' Melodic memory is powerful for number fact recall.
Test recall with rapid fire: 'If I know 6 + 4 = 10, what is 4 + 6? [10] What is 10 - 4? [6] What is 10 - 6? [4]' One bond fact generates four facts — show this pattern explicitly.
Play 'What's the missing part?': show 7 counters in a ten frame: 'I've put 7 in. The frame holds 10. How many empty spaces? How do you know without counting the spaces? 10 - 7... 3!'
Aim for automatic recall — children should respond to bonds to 10 within 3 seconds without needing to calculate. Repeated short daily practice (two to three minutes) builds automaticity over time.