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Foundation / Mathematics / Term 2 / Weeks 11 12

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Day 55 — Design a ten toolFoundation Maths · T2 W11–12 · Day 55 lesson

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25 minutes · AC9MFN01 and AC9MFN04 (partial) · educator review pending

Success: Child uses or directs construction of a reusable ten-frame with two rows of five boxes, tests it with ten counters, and records ten in two formats. Building the frame is a design activity; the mathematics evidence is in using it accurately.

Prepare: the child's earlier tool from integrated Week 11, if one exists; pre-cut card or reusable paper, thick pen/tape, reference frame, ten counters, T06/T12 and a frame with one deliberately missing box. Adults handle any sharp cutting; a ready-made mat is an equal route. This lesson checks and extends an earlier design rather than asking every child to make a second board.

  1. Retrieve, 3 min. Show yesterday's 8/2 or 3/7 split. Ask, “How could a frame prove the whole is ten?”
  2. Model, 5 min. Point to two rows of five on the reference. Say, “A good counting tool has ten spaces. I can check the spaces before I use them.” Count boxes, then counters, separately. Show the nine-box faulty frame and ask what needs fixing.
  3. Design and test, 10 min. If the child's existing tool has two rows of five boxes, audit and reuse it. If its layout differs, compare it with the prepared two-row frame; the child may adapt their own tool or use the prepared frame. If no earlier tool exists, pairs draw or direct ten boxes on reusable card. Test T06 (8/2) or T12 (3/7): put each part in a separate region of the two-row frame and confirm it fills ten boxes. One partner audits the box count, the other audits counter count. Teacher observes three focus learners and repairs a faulty frame with them.
  4. Fresh check, 4 min. Give a new ten loose counters. Child fills their frame and gives another representation: numeral 10, ten marks or a two-part split. The format is their choice.
  5. Close, 3 min. Store tools for Week 12. Key: two rows × five boxes = ten boxes; T06 8/2 and T12 3/7 make ten; a nine-box mat must gain one box before it is a ten-frame.

If the child puts several counters in one box: Rehearse one-to-one placement with five boxes, then complete both rows. Access and record: Pre-drawn, raised or digital frame is valid; the child may direct every placement. Note the actual representation used and whether ten was inferred from the structure or counted.