Counting is a fundamental skill that is essential for students to learn in elementary school. Counting tens and ones is an important concept to master as it forms the basis for understanding place value. Here are some fun and engaging activities to help teach students about counting tens and ones up to 20.

1. Counting Fingers

Counting fingers is a simple but effective way to introduce counting to young students. Start by holding up one finger and ask the students to count it. Then hold up two fingers, followed by three, and so on up to ten. After reaching ten, start over but this time explain to the students that they are counting by tens. Hold up ten fingers and say, “this is ten”, then hold up twenty fingers and say, “this is twenty”. Encourage students to count along with you.

2. Counting Blocks

Using blocks is a great way to make counting tangible for students. Provide students with a set of ten blocks and ask them to count them. Then provide them with another set of ten blocks and ask them to count those as well. After they have counted two sets of ten, ask them to count the blocks again but this time, have them group the blocks into sets of ten and ones. This will help them understand that ten ones equals one set of ten.

3. Counting on a Number Line

A number line is a visual representation of numbers that can help students understand the concept of counting. Draw a number line from 0 to 20 on a whiteboard or piece of paper. Ask students to place a marker at number 10, then count forward to 20. After that, ask them to place a marker at 20 and count backward to 10. This activity will help them understand that numbers increase from left to right and decrease from right to left.

4. Counting with Song and Dance

Songs and dances are a fun and engaging way to teach counting. There are many songs that teach counting, such as “Ten Little Monkeys” or “Ten in the Bed”. Have students sing and dance along to the song while counting along with the lyrics. This activity will help students remember how to count and make it a fun experience.

5. Counting with Flashcards

Flashcards are a useful tool for teaching counting. Make a set of flashcards with numbers from 1 to 20 written on them. Have students pick a card and then count the number of dots on the card. This activity will help them associate the number with the visual representation of it.

In conclusion, these activities are great ways to teach students about counting tens and ones up to 20. They are interactive, fun, and engaging, which will help students retain the information they learn. By implementing these activities, students will be well on their way to mastering the concept of counting tens and ones.