Lesson: Make a Ten to Add (Grade 1)

Adding to 10 is easy: 10 + 3 = 13. So first make a 10, then add what is left.

Let's add 8 + 5

Put 8 blue dots in a ten frame. There are 2 empty spaces.

Now take 2 of the 5 orange dots and put them in the empty spaces. The frame is full: that's 10.

How many orange dots are left outside? 3.

So 8 + 5 = 13.

The 3 steps

1. How many does the big number need to make 10? (8 needs 2)
2. Take that many from the other number. (5 − 2 = 3)
3. Add 10 and what is left. (10 + 3 = 13)

One more: 9 + 7

1. 9 needs 1 to make 10.
2. 7 − 1 = 6.
3. 10 + 6 = 16.

You can draw the split like this:

 9 + 7
    / \
   1   6
 10 + 6 = 16

Tips

• Fill up the bigger number. For 4 + 9, fill up the 9.
• If the answer is 10 or less (like 3 + 4), just add.
• If your child gets stuck, practice the pairs that make 10 first.

Practice

Try the Make a Ten to Add worksheets.