In the Common Core math standards, students’ knowledge and understanding of base ten is essential. “Base ten” simply means that any number can be created with exactly 10 digits: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.
Starting in kindergarten, students begin to develop an understanding of the number 10. K.OA.4 states that “For any number from 1 to 9, [students will be able to] find the number that makes 10 when added to the given number, e.g., by using objects or drawings, and record the answer w