My first grade daughter is at a point in her educational development where math concepts are clicking! She is ready for place values and understanding number patterns in a ten frame. These concepts may seem like they are too easy for a first grader but understanding the base ten number system that we use is fundamental in moving forward to more difficult concepts in math like adding large numbers that require regrouping.

I developed this Turkey Tens set with three math concepts in mind. I want my daughter to learn about place value. The ones place holds numbers zero through nine. But what about 10 and up? The tens place also holds numbers zero through nine so that we can talk about bigger numbers all the way to 99! The turkey tens matching game asks children to match turkeys (10-20) with base ten block pictures to turkeys with numbers in standard form by counting the ten rods and the ones cubes.

I also developed the Turkey Ten Frame matching game for this set. Have you ever rolled the dice with your child while playing a game and he needs to count the dots on the dice to know what the number is? But you know the number by sight, right? This is a skill that needs to be developed. Using a ten frame can help children develop a sense for number pictures in groups to easily identify number amounts from zero through nine.

Finally the last component I developed for this set is the Math Word Book. I am a big believer in writing/reading across the curriculum. Writing and reading don’t stop when we are done with a language lesson. So I developed the Math Word Book for Turkey Tens too! This book has the same cute Tom Turkey character on every page along with base ten blocks.

Your student will need to count the tens block(s) and write the number. Then they will do the same for the ones blocks. Finally on each page your student will write the number word to complete the sentence. When the book is finished it can be read aloud to the teacher or another student.

This set will help my daughter learn about numbers to the tens place during the next month. We will play the matching games together first. Then I will put the games into learning centers for her to practice on her own. They are self-correcting so they are easily played independently. She will complete the word book after she has completed each game on her own. I will work with her while she completes the word book to reinforce the pronunciation and spelling of each number word.

I expect she will be ready to learn about adding two digit numbers in December after completing these games!