Make a Ten to Add (1st Grade)

What is it?

Make a ten is an adding strategy for facts like 8 + 5, where the total goes past 10. Instead of counting on one at a time, your child moves just enough from one number to fill a ten, then adds what is left. Adding to 10 is easy to see, so the hard fact turns into an easy one. The lesson uses a ten frame: a box with ten spaces, two rows of five.

Step by step: 8 + 5

1. Show 8 + 5 as 8 red counters and 5 yellow counters.
2. The ten frame holds ten. 8 needs 2 more to make 10.
3. Move 2 of the yellow counters into the frame. Now it is full: that is 10.
4. We took 2 from the 5, so 3 are left. In numbers: 8 + 5 = 8 + 2 + 3 = 10 + 3.
5. Now it is easy: 10 + 3 = 13. So 8 + 5 = 13.

Common mistakes

• Forgetting to take the moved counters away from the second number. After moving 2, the 5 becomes 3, not 5.
• Filling past ten. The frame holds exactly 10, so only move what the first number needs (10 − 8 = 2).
• Counting every counter from 1 again. Once the frame is full, start at 10 and add the rest.

Your turn

The lesson ends with a problem to try. Pause and let your child work it out before you check.

What is 9 + 4?

Answer: 13. 9 needs 1 more to make 10, so move 1 over from the 4. That leaves 3, and 10 + 3 = 13.

Practice at home

Draw a ten frame on paper (two rows of five boxes) and use coins, beans or cereal as counters. Ask "how many more to make 10?" for 7, 8 and 9, then try facts like 9 + 6 and 7 + 5. When that is easy, ask your child to say the steps out loud without the counters.