Ten Frames has become popular in recent years as awareness grows of the need for children to spend time exploring mathematics using concrete materials. Thinking, imagining and noticing the patterns that things create that can fit into our number system are all part of the attraction of the ten frame. In particular, ten frames help to understand the value of land. Helpful in a nutshell can be found here that this.
Naturally I have been looking into the outside possibilities of such a small thing. My problem is that I don’t like to have a lot of things. So remembering cardboard frames or egg cartons on top of other things is very important to my sense of weight.
For this reason, I have had the pleasure of using a frame of tens that can be folded and stored in a pocket – thanks to the permanent markers and calico cotton, I have been able to make a cottage business out of this. After various tests, I’ve decided on a 20cm x 50cm frame that strikes the perfect balance between being too small to accommodate the found objects and too large to be cumbersome.
There is something magical about taking a small white cloth out of your pocket and handing it to the children. The rest is also useless if there are no useful lines for games, graphics and so on. One of the best things you can do is leave the ten frame somewhere outside and just encourage the kids who find something interesting to put it in the ten frame and see what treasures are found. This can lead to different math and other games, the variety of which is amazing.
You can see from above and below that they do the same job. Once a child can make a line and the partner must find and copy the layout of the objects. The level of accuracy expected will depend on the child’s ability.
One of the most interesting studies I ever saw was from a seven-year-old boy who noticed that every time he moved six stones, the number of stones was always six and the empty spaces were four. This is a fun demonstration of how the child learns about number storage and how the number of items does not affect the order.
Naturally this can lead to an assessment of how many “sixth patterns” can be made from ten images. These pictures don’t show the full amount (and please note that pun – I used the Frames app to make the collages).
These types of comments can lead to evaluations of different types of products. For example, is there a correlation between the number of combinations each number can make?
It’s also interesting from a small perspective. Children are often able to immediately recognize the decimal order – look at the Numicon for example – but struggle to adapt when things change. Try it and see. The tenth art can provide the next step along with recognizing and communicating what they see in the world around them. Biography of Karen Wilding resources and professional development are useful here. So is Christopher Danielson’s book How many? it’s his motivational website are worth checking out.
Finally a fun outdoor activity is to ask the children to create their own games and activities using the ten frame. What are your children’s thoughts?
Natural and sustainable materials in the use of ten cotton frames
Since the publication of this original post in October 2017, ten frames have gained popularity for their outdoor capabilities. It should always be considered, not only the wealth, but the environmental and social responsibility of the people receiving the aid.
- Reuse unwanted items: egg cartons, bedding containers, old ice cubes, used pillowcases (for cotton frames) and so on. This can help children realize the potential of mathematics in everything and how to use it effectively.
- If you have to buy ten frame equipment, consider the source and supplier as well as the nature and culture of the source.
- Cotton frames are designed to be easy to use and easy to wash. However, try not to get carried away with this as it will become muddy after outdoor use. Don’t just leave them wet and wet. That’s where mold and stench live. If you are really ready, finish the parts by sewing. I have also seen people sew a ten picture pattern. I tried using serrated scissors to finish the edges but this gets messy when the material is cleaned.