Free Interactive Rekenrek
Build numbers, make 5 and 10, explore number bonds, and help children see numbers as groups with this interactive rekenrek. ⭐️ Best used in full screen mode!
Teacher Notes
Curriculum Links
This tool supports the Number strand of the Irish Primary Mathematics Curriculum, especially early work in counting, number composition, number bonds, place value foundations, more/less, and early operations. It is most suitable for Junior Infants – 1st Class, with useful links into early 2nd Class work.
Children can use the Rekenrek to:
build and recognise numbers to 10 and 20, subitise quantities, make 5 and 10, explore number bonds, model addition and subtraction, compare numbers, and see teen numbers as 10 and some more.
Lesson Ideas
Show Me a Number
Call out a number and ask children to build it on the rekenrek. Encourage them to explain what they see, such as 5 and 2 more for 7, instead of counting every bead one by one.
Flash and Say
Show a number briefly, then reset or hide it. Ask children, “How many did you see?” and “How did you see it?” This supports subitising and visual number sense.
Number Bonds
Show part of a number bond on the rekenrek. For example, show 6 beads and ask children to find the partner to make 10. Extend this to bonds to 20 when using the full rekenrek.
Related Tools
Check out some other interactive tools to help children with number sense.
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