Making Ten to Add Quickly

Grab these first

• 15-20 small objects such as buttons, dried beans, or pennies

1. 1

   Explain the idea

   Adding numbers that go over ten can feel tricky at first. The make-a-ten strategy helps by turning one number into a friendly ten, then adding the rest. This uses what you already know about making ten and then counting on.

   Here is how it works with 8 + 5: Take 2 from the 5 to make the 8 into a 10. 8 + 2 = 10 Now you have 3 left from the 5, so add that on. 10 + 3 = 13 So 8 + 5 = 13.

   Try it with 7 + 6: Take 3 from the 6 to make the 7 into a 10. 7 + 3 = 10 Now you have 3 left from the 6, so add that on. 10 + 3 = 13 So 7 + 6 = 13.

2. 2

   Sit together with some small objects like buttons, beans, or pennies. Show Nora the first example: 8 + 5. Have her count out eight objects and then five more. Ask her to move two of the five over to the group of eight so it makes exactly ten. Count together to see there are now ten and three left. Add them: ten plus three is thirteen. Talk about how this is faster than counting all the way from one.

3. 3

   Do the second example together: 7 + 6. Let Nora count out seven objects and six more. Guide her to move three from the six to make the seven into ten. Count the ten and the three left, then add them to get thirteen. Ask her to say the full make-a-ten steps out loud: "Seven plus three makes ten, plus three more makes thirteen."

4. 4

   Try one more together without objects: 9 + 4. Ask Nora to think, "How many do I need to make nine into ten?" (one). Then how much is left from the four? (three). So ten plus three equals thirteen. Praise her for using the strategy in her head.

5. 5

   Play a quick game of "Make Ten Race." Take turns calling out an addition like 6 + 8 or 5 + 7. The first one to say the make-a-ten steps and the correct answer wins the round. Do four or five rounds until she feels confident.

6. 6

   Do this together

   Build a simple fort together using pillows and blankets. Once inside, pretend you are two horses resting after a long ride. Each of you has gathered some apples: one horse has 8 apples and the other has 5. Use the make-a-ten strategy to figure out how many apples you have together to share. Then try it with 9 apples and 4 carrots, and 7 oats and 6 berries. Each time, say the steps out loud before you "eat" the total. Keep going until the fort feels full of good math stories.