Education Technology


Food for Thought

Activity Overview

Students learn to count in tens up to 100. They also learn to build 2-digit numbers.

Before the Activity

  • See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
  • Print pages 17 - 31 from the attached PDF file for your class
  • During the Activity

    Distribute the page to the class.

    Follow the activity procedures:
    Activity A:

  • Show the Cheerios Counting Book to students and ask them to make predictions about the other numbers that might be in the book


  • Activity B:
  • Pass out one hundred Cheerios and ten condiment cups to groups of students
  • Group the Cheerios to count to 20
  • Instruct students to use the Cheerios and cups to make, say, and draw a picture of each number as they count from 10 to 20
  • Enter the number in the calculator


  • Activity C:
  • Place a transparent cup with ten Cheerios (this cup stands for ten) on the overhead projector
  • Place one more Cheerio on the overhead projector and explain the number eleven
  • Use the TI-10 calculator and the number name activity sheet to count from 10 to 20


  • Activity D:
  • Using cups of ten, ask students to count 100


  • Activity E:
  • Use the calculator and the activity sheet to make, say, draw, and record numbers from 10 to 100
  • View the number sentences on the calculator


  • Activity F:
  • Call out numbers, students make the numbers using Cheerios and cups, and enter the numbers in the calculator
  • Use the Place Value feature to increase the understanding of the tens and ones that make up the numbers
  • After the Activity

  • Review student results
  • As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
  • Re-teach concepts as necessary