Counting Bears Build the Number Bridge ✨ cross-curricular
Teacher: Demo Teacher | Grade: K | Subject: Math | Duration: 30 minutes
📝 Description: Students use counting bears and number cards to bridge from 10 to 20, building confidence with teen numbers through hands-on practice.
Standards
- K.CC.A.1 - Count to 100 by ones and tens
- K.CC.B.4 - Understand the relationship between numbers and quantities; connect counting to cardinality
- K.CC.B.5 - Count to answer "how many?" questions about as many as 20 things arranged in a line, array, or circle
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
- Count sequentially from 11 to 20 using concrete objects
- Match teen numbers (11-20) to the correct quantity of counting bears
- Identify the pattern that teen numbers are "ten and some more"
Materials Needed
- Counting bears (20 per student)
- Number cards 1-20 (one set per student)
- Hundreds chart (displayed for whole class)
- Small cups or containers (2 per student)
- Chart paper for anchor chart
Lesson Structure
Opening (5 minutes)
Begin with familiar counting practice. Have students count bears from 1-10 together, placing each bear in front of them. Point to the hundreds chart and say, "You're counting experts for 1-10! Today we're going to build a bridge to help us count all the way to 20."
Main Activity (20 minutes)
Step-by-step instructions:
- Build the "Ten Foundation" (5 minutes): Have students count out exactly 10 bears and place them in one cup. Hold up the number card 10. Emphasize: "Ten is our foundation. Every teen number starts with ten plus more bears."
- Bridge to Eleven and Twelve (6 minutes): Add 1 bear to the second cup. Count together: "Ten and one more makes eleven." Show number card 11. Repeat with 12. Have students practice saying "ten and two more makes twelve" while touching both cups.
- Continue the Bridge (6 minutes): Work through 13-15 the same way. Students add bears to the second cup while keeping 10 in the first cup. Emphasize the "ten and _____ more" pattern each time.
- Practice and Extend (3 minutes): Call out teen numbers randomly (16-20). Students build the number with their bears and hold up the correct number card. Check work by having them state the "ten and _____ more" pattern.
Closing (5 minutes)
Create a class anchor chart titled "Teen Number Pattern." Have students share what they discovered: teen numbers are always "10 + more." Count together from 1-20 using the hundreds chart, emphasizing the bridge at 10.
Quick Check: "Show me 14 with your bears. What's another way to say 14? If I have 10 bears and want to make 17, how many more do I need?"
Formative Assessment
During the lesson, look for:
- Students correctly keeping 10 bears in one group and adding appropriate amounts to the second group
- Accurate use of "ten and _____ more" language when describing teen numbers
- Quick recognition and building of teen numbers when called out randomly
Differentiation Strategies
Support for Struggling Students:
- Provide pre-counted groups of 10 bears in bags to eliminate counting errors
- Focus only on numbers 11-15 during main activity, extending gradually
- Use two different colored bears: one color for the group of 10, another for the extras
Challenge for Advanced Learners:
- Extend counting to 25 or 30 using the same pattern concept
- Have them write teen numbers on whiteboards or paper
- Ask them to predict what comes after 20 using the pattern they discovered
ELL/ELD Support:
- Emphasize the visual pattern with bears rather than focusing heavily on verbal explanations
- Provide number cards with both numerals and number words for reference
- Pair ELL students with strong English speakers for partner counting practice