1.NBT.2.a: Understanding Tens as Bundles of Ones

I can understand that 10 can be thought of as a bundle of ten ones.

What Your Child Needs to Know

This standard focuses specifically on helping your child understand that 10 ones can be grouped together to make 1 ten. This is a fundamental concept in our base-10 number system and is essential for understanding place value.

When children understand that 10 ones can be "bundled" to make 1 ten, they begin to see numbers in a more structured way, which helps them with counting, comparing, and calculating with larger numbers.

Real World Practice

Visual models and hands-on activities

Visual Models

1. Bundling Sticks

Use craft sticks or straws and rubber bands to physically bundle 10 individual sticks into one group of ten. This concrete model helps children see that 10 ones make 1 ten.

2. Ten-Frame Fill

Use a ten-frame to organize counters. When the ten-frame is full (10 counters), remove them and replace with a single "ten" object to show the exchange.

3. Base-Ten Blocks

Show how 10 individual unit cubes can be traded for one ten-rod, emphasizing that they represent the same quantity in a more compact form.

4. Grouping Circles

Draw 10 dots and then circle them to show how 10 ones can be seen as 1 group of ten.

Everyday Activities

1. Penny-Dime Exchange

Collect 10 pennies and exchange them for 1 dime, reinforcing that 10 ones (pennies) equal 1 ten (dime).

2. Bundling Household Items

Count out 10 small items (paper clips, beans, buttons) and bundle them together with a rubber band or small container, labeling it as "1 ten."

3. Finger Bundling

Have your child count their fingers (10 ones) and then hold up both hands together as "1 ten." Repeat with family members to show multiple tens.

4. Grocery Grouping

When shopping, group small items like grapes or cherry tomatoes into groups of 10, emphasizing that each group is "1 ten."

Quick Checks

Strategies and quick activities

Strategies When Your Child Struggles

1. Start Concrete, Then Abstract

Always begin with physical objects your child can touch and group before moving to pictures or numbers.

2. Consistent Language

Use precise language: "We have 10 ones. We can bundle them together to make 1 ten." Avoid shortcuts in language until the concept is solid.

3. Show the Equivalence

Demonstrate that 10 ones and 1 ten have the same value by counting them side by side.

4. Connect to Counting

Practice counting by ones to 10, then show how counting by tens (10, 20, 30) is like counting bundles.

5-Minute Practice Activities

Activity 1: Bundle Race

Scatter 30 small objects. Time your child as they group them into bundles of 10. Ask: "How many tens and how many ones do you have?"

Activity 2: Bundle or Not?

Show different quantities (7, 10, 12, 20) of small objects and ask if they can make a complete bundle of ten or not.

Activity 3: Trading Game

Roll a die and collect that many "ones" (small objects). Whenever you get 10, trade them for a "ten" (larger object). First to get 3 tens wins.

Activity 4: Bundle Drawings

Draw some dots (between 5-15) and have your child circle groups of 10, then tell you how many tens and ones they found.

Check Progress

Track improvement

By the middle of the year, your child should:

  • Count 10 individual objects and recognize them as "1 ten"
  • Physically group 10 ones into 1 ten using manipulatives
  • Understand that 10 ones is equal to 1 ten

By the end of the year, your child should:

  • Automatically recognize that 10 ones can be bundled as 1 ten
  • Explain why we bundle ones into tens in our number system
  • Apply the bundling concept when working with two-digit numbers
  • Decompose numbers like 10, 20, 30 into tens and ones

Mastery Signs

Your child understands this concept when they can:

  • Quickly group objects into tens and ones without counting each item
  • Explain that 10 ones is the same amount as 1 ten
  • Recognize that numbers like 10, 20, 30 are composed of some tens and 0 ones
  • Apply the bundling concept when adding and subtracting
  • Use the language of "tens" and "ones" correctly when describing numbers

Differentiation

Support for all learning levels

Below Grade Level

Practice problems focusing on counting to 10 and recognizing groups of 10 objects.

📥 Download Practice Worksheet

At Grade Level

Standard practice with bundling ones into tens and recognizing the equivalence.

📥 Download Grade Level Worksheet

Above Grade Level

Advanced practice applying the bundling concept to larger numbers and beginning work with hundreds (10 tens = 1 hundred).

📥 Download Challenge Worksheet