Mission Control Guide
Mission Control Guide
Topic: Counting by Tens to 100
Learning Objective
Students will be able to recite numbers by tens up to 100 in sequence.
Duration
30 Minutes
Equipment Checklist
1. Warm-up: Finger Fuel (5 min)
Start by asking all astronauts to show their "10 launch thrusters" (fingers). Then, have them find a partner to put their hands together. Ask: "How many fingers do we have now?" (20). Practice counting to 20 by ones if needed, then point out it's two groups of ten.
2. Training Video: The Tens Song (5 min)
"Instruct students to clap their hands every time they hear a number ending in zero."
Key Teaching Moments:
- 0:28: Pause. Ask: "If I want to say 5 tens, what number pattern do I use?" (5 + 0 = 50).
- 1:00: Pause. Predict what comes after 80 before the final round.
3. Main Activity: Rocket Jumps (15 min)
Active Learning
Designate a 'Launch Pad' area. Have all students squat down low like rockets waiting to launch.
The Sequence:
- 10: Tiny wiggle
- 20-40: Small bounces
- 50-80: Big jumps
- 90: Ready... set...
- 100: BLAST OFF! (Highest jump possible)
Tip: Repeat this 3 times. The first time is slow, the second is medium, and the third is "Super Speed Mode".
4. Reflection: Space Rock Circle (5 min)
Sit in a "Moon Crater" circle. Use the 'Space Rock' (ball or beanbag). Whoever holds the rock says the next number in the sequence (10, 20, 30...) and passes it to the right.
Discussion Prompt: "The song said to add a zero. Why does adding a zero make the number look so much bigger?" (Focus on the 'tens place' vs 'ones place' conceptually).
5. Extension: Rocket Count Worksheet
Students draw their own rocket ship. Instruct them to write the tens numbers (10-100) climbing up the side of the fire/smoke at the bottom.
Astronaut Troubleshooting (Common Misconceptions)
Confusion with Teens
Students may say "fourteen" instead of "forty". Emphasize the long 'TY' sound at the end.
What comes after 100?
If students ask, explain that the pattern continues (110, 120...) but today our mission ends at the moon (100).
Blast Off Slides
Rocket Blast Tens
Counting to 100 with Mission Control
Warm-up: Finger Fuel
10 Fingers
(1 Astronaut)
20 Fingers
(2 Astronauts)
The Counting by Tens Song
Clap on every 0!
Embedded media
The Astronaut Hint
"Just count up by ones and then add a zero."
5 Five Ones
50 Five Tens
102030405060708090100
Main Mission: Rocket Jumps
1
Squat Down Low
Get ready at the Launch Pad!
2
Counting Climb
Jump higher for every 10 we say.
3
100 = Blast Off!
Reach for the moon!
The Space Rock
Pass the Moon Rock in a circle.
If you catch it, say the next ten!
10 20 30 ???
