Tens and Ones

What Are Tens and Ones?

• Every number is made up of digits that live in special houses called "place value" houses.
• When we have a small group of items (0 to 9), they live in the Ones house.
• When we get 10 items, they bundle together to form a "Ten" and move into the Tens house.

The Ones House

• The Ones house is for single, loose items.
• Only numbers from 0 to 9 can stay here.
• Think of Ones as single building blocks or loose straws.
• Example: If you have 4 blocks, you have 4 Ones.

The Tens House

• When you reach 10 single items, they must be tied together in a bundle.
• This bundle is called 1 Ten.
• 1 Ten is exactly the same as 10 Ones, but they are stuck together as a team.
• Example: The number 10 is 1 Ten and 0 Ones.

The Detective Strategy

1. Look at the number: The digit on the right is always the Ones.
2. Look at the number: The digit on the left is always the Tens.
3. Use your hands: Imagine the left hand holding big bundles (Tens) and the right hand holding small pieces (Ones).

Why Do We Learn This?

• It makes counting very large groups much faster.
• It helps us understand how numbers are built.
• It is the first step toward learning how to add and subtract big numbers.

Lesson Summary

• Ones are single pieces (0-9).
• Tens are groups of 10 pieces joined together.
• Place value tells us exactly how much a number is worth based on where the digits sit.