Tens Board (Seguin Board B)

After the teens, the child extends to the full range 11-99. The tens board reveals the pattern of counting by tens, and combined with loose units it makes every two-digit number concrete. If the beads do not match the tiles, the number is incorrect and the child re-examines.

• Framework: Montessori
• Unit: Mathematics
• Learning area: Linear Counting
• Level: Ages 5-6

Objectives

• Form the numerals 10, 20, 30… 90 with the board and tiles
• Count by tens with ten-bars
• Construct two-digit numbers from 11 to 99 using board, tiles, and beads
• Prepare for the hundred board and full number line

Materials

• Seguin Board B: panels printed with 10, 20, 30… 90
• Set of loose numeral tiles 1-9
• Golden ten-bars and loose unit beads in quantity

Instructions

1. Lay the board and a pile of ten-bars. 2. Read each panel: 'ten, twenty, thirty… ninety.' 3. Place one ten-bar beside 10, two beside 20, three beside 30, and so on. 4. Count the bars together. 5. Reset. 6. Now combine with loose units: place three ten-bars beside the 30 panel, and one loose unit. 7. Slide '1' over the zero to form '31'. Say, 'Thirty-one.' 8. Continue 32, 33… 39. At 40, exchange ten units for a ten-bar. 9. Continue to 99, inviting the child to take over at any point.

Educator tip

When reaching a new ten (39→40), pause. Make the exchange deliberate; the child should see the ten ones become one ten — that is the whole insight.

Assessment

Note fluency with counting by tens, and ability to form any named two-digit number.

More from Mathematics

• Stamp Game
• Checkerboard for Long Multiplication
• Racks and Tubes: Long Division
• Hundred Board
• Addition Strip Board
• Subtraction Strip Board
• Multiplication Bead Bars
• Division with Bowls and Beads