CCSS.Math.Content.K.NBT.A
The standard
Work with numbers 11—19 to gain foundations for place value.
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics
What this standard means
Kindergarteners need to see teen numbers as ten ones and some more ones. They should build, draw, count, and name 11 through 19 using ten frames, linking cubes, fingers, bundles, and simple equations like 10 + 4.
Mastery looks like a student making 16 with a full ten frame and 6 extras, saying “ten and six,” and matching it to 16. Students often count all cubes one by one, reverse digits, or treat 14 as 1 and 4 without seeing the ten.
Ways to teach it
- Hands-on activity: Give students a ten frame and counters, call out 13, and have them fill ten first, then add 3 more.
- Discussion prompt: Show 17 as 10 + 7 and ask, “Where do you see the ten, and where do you see the extra ones?”
- Quick assessment: Ask each student to build 15 with cubes, draw it, and tell you how many are in the ten and ones groups.
- Real-world connection: Count 18 crayons by making one group of 10 and a leftover group, then label the groups together.
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Related standards
- CCSS.Math.Content.1.NBT.B
Understand place value.
- CCSS.Math.Content.2.NBT.B.6
Add up to four two-digit numbers using strategies based on place value and properties of operations.
- CCSS.Math.Content.2.NBT.A
Understand place value.
- CCSS.Math.Content.5.NBT.A
Understand the place value system.