Tens Plus Ones Lesson Plan
Grade 1 • Unit 3 Place Value • 45-Min Block
Tens Plus Ones Lesson Plan
Standards Aligned
1.NBT.1 • 1.NBT.2 • 1.NBT.5
Lesson Objective
SWBAT decompose two-digit numbers into tens and ones, record each digit on a place value chart, represent the parts in a number bond, and write matching addition equations (e.g., \(20 + 4 = 24\), \(4 + 20 = 24\)).
Essential Question
How does knowing the value of tens and ones help us write addition equations?
Key Vocabulary
- Ten: A bundle or unit made of 10 single ones.
- Digit: A single symbol (0–9) used to make numbers.
- Value: How much a digit is worth based on place.
- Number Bond: A model showing part-part-whole.
Materials & Prep
- • 40 linking cubes (in sticks of 10 and singles) per student
- • Student dry-erase boards and markers
- • Place Value Chart & Number Bond chart template
- • Student Practice Worksheet (2-sided)
45-Minute Instructional Arc
1 Fluency & Math Meeting (7 Minutes) 0:00 - 0:07
10 More & Say Ten Way: Teacher: "What is 10 more than 5?" (15) → "Say 15 the Say Ten way!" (Ten 5) → "Say it as an addition sentence!" (\(10 + 5 = 15\)). Repeat with 4, 7, and 9.
Switch Counting Sprint: Start at 12 by 1s... switch to counting by 10s (22, 32, 42)... switch back to 1s. Reverse: count down from 30 by 1s to zero in cadence.
2 Guided Launch & Direct Modeling (12 Minutes) 0:07 - 0:19
Build 37 on Document Camera: Display 3 ten-sticks and 7 loose cubes.
• "How many tens? How many ones?" (3 tens, 7 ones → Total: 37).
• Place into chart: 3 in tens place (value: 30), 7 in ones place (value: 7).
Connect to Number Bond: Draw bond with 37 in the whole circle, 30 and 7 in the part circles. Emphasize: parts represent the value of each digit!
The 4 Addition Sentences: Elicit: \(30 + 7 = 37\), \(7 + 30 = 37\), \(37 = 30 + 7\), and \(37 = 7 + 30\). Prompt: "What is 7 more than 30? What is 30 more than 7?"
1st Grade Math Inquiry • Tens Plus Ones Page 1 of 2
Instructional Flow & Differentiation
Practice, Academic Monitoring, and Closure Protocol
Pacing: Min 19–45
3 Scaffolded Partner Practice (10 Minutes) 0:19 - 0:29
Whiteboard Rapid Rally: Call out numbers (24, 18, 35). Partners build with cubes, fill their dry-erase place value chart, draw the number bond, and write 2 addition equations.
Turn & Talk Focus: "Partner A explains why the digit 2 in 24 has a value of 20, not 2. Partner B says the equation starting with the ones."
4 Independent Student Practice (10 Minutes) 0:29 - 0:39
Scholars work on the Tens Plus Ones Practice Worksheet.
• Problems 1–4: Highly scaffolded with base-ten models, place value charts, and number bonds.
• Problems 5–8: Reduced scaffolding (matching representations and decomposing).
• Problems 9–12: Independent equations and language prompts ("__ more than __ is __").
5 Debrief, Stamp & Exit (6 Minutes) 0:39 - 0:45
Key Stamp: "Every two-digit number is made of tens and ones. When we write an addition sentence, we add the value of the tens plus the value of the ones (e.g., \(30 + 6 = 36\))."
Targeted Monitoring & Error Correction Guide
Common Misconception 1
Writing the digit value as 3 instead of 30 in number bonds (e.g., bond with 3 and 7 instead of 30 and 7).
Teacher Probe:
"Point to your 3 ten-sticks. How many single cubes are in those 3 sticks? Let's count by tens: 10, 20, 30! So what is the value of the 3?"
Common Misconception 2
Reversing tens and ones in the place value chart (e.g., 2 tens and 4 ones recorded as 4 tens and 2 ones).
Teacher Probe:
"Which blocks are bundled in groups of 10? How many bundles do you see? Place that count directly under the word 'Tens'."
Scaffolding / Intervention
Keep physical linking cubes and Hide Zero cards accessible at the table. Have students lay the card for 30 down, then physically overlap the 7 card onto the zero to visualize \(30 + 7 = 37\).
Extension / Challenge
Present equations with reversed addends or total first: \(28 = \underline{\hspace{12px}} + 20\), or ask: "If I have 40 and add 0 ones, what equation can I write?"
1st Grade Math Inquiry • Tens Plus Ones Page 2 of 2
Tens Plus Ones Answer Key
Teacher Reference • Base-Ten Rods & Cubes
Tens Plus Ones Answer Key
Page 1 Solutions
All models show tens as rods (value of 10) and ones as unit cubes. Check that scholars write 20 or 30 in the tens branch of the number bond, not just single digits.
1 Solution: 23
Tens Ones
2
3
23 20 3
20 and 3 make 23.
20 + 3 = 23
2 Solution: 28
Tens Ones
2
8
28 20 8
20 and 8 make 28.
20 + 8 = 28
3 Solution: 27
27 20 7
20 + 7 = 27
7 more than 20 is 27.
4 Solution: 36
36 30 6
30 + 6 = 36
6 more than 30 is 36.
1st Grade Math Inquiry • Tens Plus Ones Answer Key Page 1 of 2
Teacher Reference • Answer Key
Part 2: Match & Solve Solutions
Page 2 Solutions
Part A: Matching Key (Rods & Cubes Models)
5. [4 rods] 4 tens → 40
6. [2 rods 7 cubes] 2 tens 7 ones → 20 + 7
7. [2 rods 3 cubes] 3 more than 20 → 20 + 3
8. [3 rods 2 cubes] 2 ones 3 tens → 2 + 30
*Commutative Property Stamp: Emphasize that \(2 + 30\) and \(30 + 2\) both equal 32 regardless of whether ones or tens are written first.
Part B: Independent Solutions
9. 1 rod 4 cubes Total: 14
Tens Ones
1
4
10 + 4 = 14
10. 2 rods 3 cubes Total: 23
Tens Ones
2
3
20 + 3 = 23
11. 3 rods 5 cubes Total: 35
Tens Ones
3
5
35 = 30 + 5
12. 2 rods 6 cubes Total: 26
Tens Ones
2
6
26 = 20 + 6
Quick Check Key:
13. 30 + 8 = 38
14. 20 + 5 = 25
15. 40 + 7 = 47
1st Grade Math Inquiry • Tens Plus Ones Answer Key Page 2 of 2
