Number Bonds Fun

Overview

This 25-minute session introduces Reception students to number bonds up to 10, using tens frames as a visual and tactile aid. The aim is to help children understand how numbers can be split and combined in different ways, supporting the early stages of addition and subtraction concepts in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Mathematics Development Matters and statutory framework.

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Curriculum Links

• EYFS Early Learning Goals (Mathematics):

  • Number: Have a deep understanding of number to 10, including the composition of each number.
  • Numerical Patterns: Automatically recall number bonds for numbers 0–10.

• Development Matters (Number - Reception):

  • Use the language of ‘more’ and ‘fewer’ to compare two sets of objects.
  • Explore and represent patterns within numbers up to 10.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:

• Recognise number bonds to 10 using a tens frame.
• Demonstrate understanding by combining and partitioning numbers within 10.
• Talk about number bonds using appropriate language (e.g., “5 and 5 makes 10”).

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Resources

• Individual laminated tens frames (1 per child) with counters (10 counters each).
• Large visual tens frame on a magnetic board or smartboard.
• Counters in two contrasting colours (e.g., red and blue).
• Number bond cards (showing pairs that total 10) for matching activity.
• Sticky notes and marker pens for quick recording by the teacher.

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

• Engage: Gather children on the carpet around the large visual tens frame.
• Explain: Introduce the tens frame – “This is our treasure tray that can hold 10 items. Can we fill it up?”
• Demonstrate: Place 10 counters, count aloud together. Ask “How many counters are on the tray?” Reinforce the number 10.
• Explain number bonds: “We can show 10 in many ways. For example, 6 counters and 4 counters together make 10.”

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2. Guided Practice (10 minutes)

• Hand out individual tens frames and counters to each student.
• Activity 1: Teacher calls out a number less than 10 (e.g., 7), children place that many counters in one colour on their tens frame.
• Children then fill the rest of the tens frame with the second colour, completing 10.
• Ask: “How many counters are there in red? How many counters in blue? How many altogether?”
• Verbally reinforce number bonds such as "7 and 3 make 10."
• Rotate through several number pairs to cover different bonds to 10.

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3. Independent Exploration / Matching (7 minutes)

• Children work with number bond cards: each card shows two numbers that sum to 10 (e.g., 2 + 8, 5 + 5).
• Children match cards to their tens frame counters.
• Encourage children to say aloud the number bonds they make.
• Teacher circulates, supporting language use and asking open-ended questions (e.g., “Can you find another way to make 10?”).

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4. Plenary and Reflection (3 minutes)

• Bring children back together. Use the large tens frame to demonstrate a few number bonds mentioned by children.
• Ask: “Why do you think this helps us?” “Can we find number bonds to 10 quickly now?”
• Praise effort and correct use of vocabulary.
• Optionally, end with a quick oral number bond quiz – “If I have 9 counters, how many more do I need to make 10?”

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Differentiation

• Support: Use fewer counters, focus on bonds to 5 for children struggling with 10. Use physical prompts or peer buddy support.
• Challenge: Ask children to find all possible number bonds to 10 independently or use bonds beyond 10 (like 11 or 12) if appropriate.

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Assessment Opportunities

• Observe children’s ability to appropriately fill tens frames and use counters.
• Listen for accurate use of vocabulary and understanding of combining and partitioning numbers.
• Use rapid fire questioning during plenary to gauge recall and conceptual grasp.

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Extension Ideas

• Create a simple “tens frame” art piece using stickers, reinforcing bonds visually and creatively.
• Introduce a story or puppet character struggling to solve number bond puzzles to engage emotional and narrative reasoning.
• Use technology: digital tens frame apps or interactive whiteboard activities to reinforce learning.

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This lesson carefully blends concrete, pictorial, and verbal approaches to support early number sense in a playful, hands-on way, embedding key UK EYFS mathematical objectives.