Lesson Script: Building Tens with Blocks

Warm-Up: Spiral Review (OA.1) (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning, mathematicians! Let's get our brains warmed up for some exciting math today. We're going to start with a quick 'Spiral Review' to practice something we've learned before. This will help us get ready for our new learning.

I'm handing out a worksheet called Spiral Review Worksheet. On this worksheet, you'll see some problems asking 'how many less'. Remember, when we hear 'how many less', we are thinking about subtracting. Use your best math thinking to solve these problems. You can draw pictures or use your fingers to help you.

You have about 3 to 4 minutes to complete the worksheet. Do your best! Go ahead and start now."

(Circulate, observe, and provide quiet support as students work.)

Teacher: "Alright everyone, pencils down. Let's quickly review a couple of these problems. Does anyone want to share how they solved number 1? What did you do to find 'how many less'?"

(Call on a student to share, then briefly discuss another problem if time allows. Clarify any misunderstandings quickly.)

Introduction: What are Tens? (3 minutes)

Teacher: "Fantastic job with our warm-up! Today, we're going to explore numbers in a super fun, hands-on way using special blocks. Look up at the screen at our Slide Deck: Building Tens!

(Advance to the 'Meet Our Blocks: The Tens Rod!' slide.)

Teacher: "These blocks are called base ten blocks. We're going to focus on this long stick. Can everyone hold up one of your long sticks? What do you notice about it?"

(Pause for student responses.)

Teacher: "This long stick is called a tens rod. If you were to count all the little cubes that make up this one tens rod, how many do you think there would be? Take a guess!"

(Pause for student guesses.)

Teacher: "That's right! There are TEN little cubes connected together to make one tens rod! So, when we talk about a 'tens rod,' we're really talking about a group of ten ones. We can also say it's one ten. Say it with me: 'One ten!'"

Guided Practice: Building Multiples of 10 (I Do, We Do, You Do) (12 minutes)

Teacher: "Now, for the 'I Do' part! That means, I am going to show you how to use these tens rods to build numbers that are multiples of ten. Watch me closely. You don't need to do it yet, just watch and listen carefully.

(Advance to the 'I Do: Watch Me Build Tens!' slide.)

Teacher: "If I have one tens rod, I have 10. (Hold up one tens rod). If I add another tens rod, now I have two tens rods, which means I have 20. (Add another tens rod). And if I add one more tens rod, I have three tens rods, and that makes 30! (Add a third tens rod).

Notice how I'm counting by tens? 10, 20, 30. Each tens rod adds another group of ten. This is how we build numbers that are multiples of 10!

Now for the 'We Do' part! That means we are going to build numbers together. Grab your tens rods and put them in front of you. Let's all do this together.

(Advance to the 'We Do: Let's Build Tens Together!' slide.)

Teacher: "First, let's build the number 40. How many tens rods do you think we will need to make 40? Show me with your blocks as we count together: 10, 20, 30, 40! So, we used four tens rods. Great job!

Next, let's build 50. How many tens rods for 50? Count with me as you build: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50! Five tens rods for 50. Excellent!

And how about 60? Let's build it together: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60! Six tens rods make 60. You're doing amazing at counting by tens!

(Circulate during 'We Do' to provide assistance and check for correct block building.)

Teacher: "You are all becoming masters of building tens! Now, for the 'You Do' part. This is where you get to show me what you've learned all by yourself!"

(Advance to the 'You Do: Build on Your Own!' slide.)

Teacher: "I want each of you to use your tens rods to build these numbers. When you've built the number, show me your blocks. First, build 70. Go!"

(Observe students, offer individual help, and confirm they have 7 tens rods.)

Teacher: "Great! Now, clear your blocks and build 80. Show me when you're done!"

(Observe students, offer individual help, and confirm they have 8 tens rods.)

Teacher: "Fantastic! One more! Build 90. Show me your work!"

(Observe students, offer individual help, and confirm they have 9 tens rods.)

Teacher: "Wow, you are all doing so well with building multiples of 10!"

Independent Practice: Worksheet & Small Group (NBT.2) (30 minutes)

Teacher: "Now you're going to get even more practice. I'm handing out the Building Tens Worksheet. On this worksheet, you will see numbers. Your job is to first build the number with your tens rods, just like we practiced. Then, you will draw a picture of the tens rods you used to make that number in the space provided.

(Distribute the Building Tens Worksheet.)

Teacher: "While you are all working independently on your worksheets, I will be calling a few of you to work with me in small groups. If I call your name, please bring your blocks and your worksheet to the back table. If I don't call your name, keep working quietly and thoughtfully on your worksheet.

For my small group, we might review how to count by tens, or for those who are ready, we might even try adding a few groups of ten together!"

(Begin calling small groups. Provide differentiated support as outlined in the lesson plan.)

Wrap-Up (Cool Down) (Optional - 5 minutes, integrated into independent work)

Teacher: "Alright everyone, just a few more minutes to finish up the problem you are on. We did some incredible work today!

Look up at our Slide Deck: Building Tens for our final slide.

(Advance to the 'You Are All Tens-tastic!' slide.)

Teacher: "Great work today, mathematicians! You learned how to build and count by tens using your base ten blocks. You are on your way to becoming number masters! I am so proud of your hard work and how you used your new skills today. Keep practicing those tens!"

Spiral Review: How Many Less?

Name: _________________________

Date: _________________________

Directions: Read each problem carefully and solve. Show your work!

1. There are 8 red apples and 5 green apples. How many fewer green apples are there than red apples?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: _________ fewer green apples

2. You have 10 balloons. Your friend has 6 balloons. How many less balloons does your friend have?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: _________ less balloons

3. Sarah found 7 seashells at the beach. Tom found 3 seashells. How many less seashells did Tom find than Sarah?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: _________ less seashells

4. A tree has 9 birds. 2 birds fly away. How many less birds are on the tree now?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: _________ less birds

5. Draw a picture to show 12 items. Then cross out 5 of them. How many less are left?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Answer: _________ less

Building Tens with Blocks

Name: _________________________

Date: _________________________

Directions: For each number, first build it with your tens rods. Then, draw a picture of the tens rods you used to make the number.

1. 20
   Build with blocks first, then draw!
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. 40
   Build with blocks first, then draw!
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. 60
   Build with blocks first, then draw!
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. 80
   Build with blocks first, then draw!
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

5. 30
   Build with blocks first, then draw!
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

6. 50
   Build with blocks first, then draw!