Trading Cubes for Rods: Understanding Tens and Ones!

Math Grades 1st Grade 7:22 Video
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Lesson Description

Let's learn how to trade ones for tens using cubes and rods! This lesson helps us understand place value and how numbers work.

Video Resource

Trading One to Tens | 1st Grade | Math | Kids Academy

Kids Academy

Duration: 7:22
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Ones: Individual units represented by cubes.
  • Tens: A group of ten ones, represented by a rod.
  • Trading: Exchanging ten ones for one ten.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify and count ones (cubes).
  • Students will be able to identify and count tens (rods).
  • Students will be able to trade ten ones for one ten rod.
  • Students will understand that a ten rod represents the same value as ten individual cubes.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what they know about counting. Introduce the terms 'ones' and 'tens'. Show them individual cubes and explain that each one is worth one. Then, show them a ten rod and explain that it's made of ten cubes stuck together and is worth ten.
  • Video Viewing (5 mins)
    Watch the 'Trading One to Tens | 1st Grade | Math | Kids Academy' video together as a class.
  • Guided Practice (10 mins)
    Using manipulatives (cubes and rods), guide students through trading exercises. For example, give them 12 cubes and ask them to trade ten of the cubes for one rod. Then, ask them how many rods and cubes they have left. Repeat with different numbers.
  • Independent Practice (10 mins)
    Provide students with worksheets that have pictures of cubes and rods. Ask them to count the cubes, trade ten ones for a ten rod, and write down how many rods and cubes are left. The worksheet can mimic the format of the worksheet shown in the video.
  • Wrap Up (5 mins)
    Review the key concepts of ones and tens. Ask students to explain in their own words how to trade ones for tens.

Interactive Exercises

  • Trading Game
    Divide students into small groups. Give each group a pile of cubes. Have them roll a dice and add that many cubes to their pile. When they have ten or more cubes, they can trade ten cubes for one rod. The game continues until one group has a certain number of rods.

Discussion Questions

  • What is something you can buy with one dollar?
  • Why is it important to know how to count by tens?
  • Can you think of other things that come in groups of ten?

Skills Developed

  • Counting
  • Place Value Understanding
  • Problem-Solving
  • Trading

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What does one cube stand for?

Correct Answer: One

Question 2:

What does one long rod stand for?

Correct Answer: Ten

Question 3:

How many cubes can you trade for one rod?

Correct Answer: 10

Question 4:

If you have 1 rod and 2 cubes, how many are there in all?

Correct Answer: 12

Question 5:

Which is more: 1 rod or 5 cubes?

Correct Answer: 1 rod

Question 6:

What number is shown by 3 rods?

Correct Answer: 30

Question 7:

Which of the following shows the number 23?

Correct Answer: 2 rods and 3 cubes

Question 8:

What do we call the number when we only have one number?

Correct Answer: Ones

Question 9:

If you have two rows of 10 cubes how many rods do you have?

Correct Answer: 2 rods

Question 10:

If you had 40 cubes, how many rods would you have?

Correct Answer: 4 rods

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

One cube is worth ____.

Correct Answer: one

Question 2:

One rod is worth ____.

Correct Answer: ten

Question 3:

Ten cubes can be traded for ____ rod.

Correct Answer: one

Question 4:

The cubes show the number of ____.

Correct Answer: ones

Question 5:

The rods show the number of ____.

Correct Answer: tens

Question 6:

If you have 3 rods that means you have _______ cubes.

Correct Answer: 30

Question 7:

If you have 50 cubes you have ______ rods.

Correct Answer: 5

Question 8:

The number 19 has 1 rod and _____ cubes

Correct Answer: 9

Question 9:

The number 10 has _____ rod.

Correct Answer: 1

Question 10:

The number 8 only has ____ .

Correct Answer: ones

Educational Standards

CCSS.Math.Content.1.NBT.B.2:Understand that the two digits of a two-digit number represent amounts of tens and ones. CCSS.Math.Content.1.NBT.B.2.A:10 can be thought of as a bundle of ten ones — called a 'ten'. CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.A.1:Use addition and subtraction within 20 to solve word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing, with unknowns in all positions, e.g., by using objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.

Teaching Materials

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