You all did a brilliant job of mastering how to use the part-whole model last week. The mathematical skill of partitioning numbers, that you did by using the model, is so important in supporting our understanding and knowledge of number in Reception and as we progress through school. 

This week we are going to focus on exploring the composition of 10. When we practised our counting skills previously, many of you took on the challenge I set of beginning to find different ways to make 10. We are going to continue to investigate all the ways in which we can make 10 this week. 

Click on the link below to join the Numberblocks in investigating how they can make the number 10 using different amounts. 

We are now going to see how many ways we can find to make 10 ourselves by playing some games. Below are a selection of games and activities. Take your pick of one or more of these and find all of those number bonds to 10. Throughout all of the activities, keep telling your adult when you have found a way to make 10. Can you write it down? For example, 2 + 8 = 10.

• Skittles - Arrange 10 empty water bottles, milk bottles, cardboard tubes, toy cans or anything you have that could represent skittles (you might want to use a mix of objects). Roll a ball and see how many skittles you can knock down (if you haven't got a ball at home, balled socks will also work perfectly). 

You can choose how to record the number of skittles standing and fallen using pictures, numerals or other representations. For example, I have 10 skittles, I knock 5 down and there are 5 left standing. The examples below show different ways in which you can record this. You might choose to use one or more of these methods.

• Throwing challenge - Scrunch up 10 balls of paper (as an added challenge for your physical development, can you scrunch each one up using one hand only)! Find an empty box or basket to use as a target. Throw the balls of paper, one at a time, towards your target. Once you have thrown all 10, count how many can you got in and how many missed? 

Again, you can choose how to record the number of paper balls that hit and the number that missed using pictures, numerals or other representations. For example, when I threw mine, I got 2 in the box and 8 missed. The examples below show different ways in which I recorded this. You might choose to use one or more of these methods.

• Bead strings - Thread 10 beads, or any appropriate alternatives, onto a piece of string. Count and check that there are definitely 10. Slide 3 beads to the side. How many are left? 7. So we know that 3 beads and 7 beads makes 10 beads. We did a very similar activity with the coat hangers and pegs a few weeks ago. 

The examples below show different ways in which I recorded the work I did with my bead string. You might choose to use one or more of these methods.