The game idea in this free math tutoring video comes from the RightStart math curriculum. It is basically the same as Go Fish, but the number pairs must equal 10. So, 1 and 9, 2 and 8, 3 and 7, 4 and 6, and 5 and 5 are all the pairs that can be put together. Children who don’t yet have their number bonds (facts) to 10 memorized can use Cuisenaire Rods to help them figure out which number to ask for.
Take the Face cards and 10s out of a regular deck of cards to get started. The game can also be done with numbers other than 10. Just take out of the deck all numbers larger than your target number.
This free math video shows another way to introduce the concept of place value in the decimal system. This is a more traditional way to do it. People usually use Base Ten blocks, but Cuisenaire Rods work perfectly well, too!
Notice that I don’t tell her the English name for every single number. It is more important at this point that she understand the “tens and ones” concept than that she attach each quantity to a particular name. Eventually it will all come together in her mind that “ten and three” and “thirteen” and “13” are all the same thing.
Let me repeat: It is much more important that children first understand “tens and ones” than that they be able to say “thirteen” when they see “13.”
This free math video shows me combining the rods with numerals into the teens and then we go on to name the “tens” (20, 30, 40, etc.) This was her first experience with this idea of place value. We’ll be going over this many times before it really sinks in.
