using colors with 10 frames to help students with addition strategies

I've had some good results in teaching addition strategies to my special needs students using colors with 10 frames. I use one color of counters on the top 10 frame (and outline the frame that color) and use a different color of counters on the bottom 10 frame (also outlining that frame with that color). When I try to teach my students to add two numbers by first making a 10, I cue them to tell me how many of the top color there will be (to make the 10) and then how many of the bottom color. Once they identify how many of the bottom color, they can quickly tell the total. So for example, if I want them to figure out 8 and 4 more, I show them the 8 blue counters on the top frame and then have them try to visualize how many more blue counters they need to make the 10 and then how many yellow counters they will have to make 4 in total. Using the colors really helps them to visualize this process and helps us to communicate about it. I also glued the 10 frames on a magnetic board and I glued magnets on the counters so I can place the frames vertically in front of the students as a demonstration.