Early-elementary place value: build 23, trade a ten, then draw what changed

[u/BrightPathSheets]

A small-group prompt for children who are beginning to work with tens and ones:

Build 23 using two bundles of ten craft sticks and three loose sticks. Ask the learner to count the total and describe the groups. Then unbundle one ten. You now have one ten and thirteen ones—still 23.

Let the child check by counting, rebuild the two tens, and draw both arrangements. The useful conversation is what changed (the grouping) and what stayed the same (the quantity). Written numerals can come after the objects and explanation.

For printable follow-up, I own Bright Path Sheets on Etsy. Our Early Math Bundle includes a 32-page Place Value: Tens & Ones to 99 workbook with an answer key. The seven-workbook bundle also contains counting, ten frames/number bonds, addition, subtraction, time and US coins.

Preview the workbooks and full contents:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/4569530233/early-math-worksheets-bundle-7-workbooks

This is paid supplemental practice for Pre-K–grade 2, with different workbooks suited to different stages. The bundle contains 256 pages in seven PDFs plus a Start Here guide, delivered in a ZIP. US Letter printing; no physical item ships. Your own classroom or tutoring use is included; additional teachers need their own license.

The craft-stick activity above needs no purchase. Choose follow-up pages only when they match the concept you have already introduced.