Solved Exercises on Making Ten Strategy for Grade 1

Master making ten strategy: addition strategies with visual infographics, step-by-step solutions, and practice problems.

Making Ten Strategy Concepts & Visuals
MAKING TEN STRATEGY SUMMARY

Definition: Making ten strategy involves breaking apart one addend to create a ten with the other addend, then adding the remaining part.

Core Rules:

  • Look for ways to make 10 with one of the numbers
  • Break apart the other number to make 10
  • Add the remaining part to 10
  • Know all number pairs that make 10 (1+9, 2+8, 3+7, etc.)

Methods: Decompose numbers to form 10, then add the remainder.

Examples: 8 + 5 = 8 + 2 + 3 = 10 + 3 = 13

Tips: Practice number bonds to 10, use ten frames, and connect to real-life situations.

🎯 Making Ten Strategy
Break apart numbers to make 10, then add the rest
Definition:

Making Ten Strategy: Breaking apart one number to create a ten with the other number, then adding what's left.

Making Ten Method:
  1. Look for the number closest to 10 (or identify which number needs how many to make 10)
  2. Break apart the other number to provide what's needed to make 10
  3. Add the parts to make 10 first
  4. Add the remaining part to the 10
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Key Rules:

• Know number pairs to 10: 1+9, 2+8, 3+7, 4+6, 5+5

• Break apart to make 10: Take what's needed from one number

• Add remaining part: After making 10, add what's left

• Use visual models: Ten frames help visualize the process

Tip 1: Practice number bonds to 10 until they become automatic.
Tip 2: Use ten frames or draw circles to visualize making 10.
Tip 3: Start with numbers close to 10 (8, 9) to make the strategy easier.
Solution: Exercises 1 to 3
1 Basic Making Ten
Exercise 1
8 + 5 = ?
Strategy:

Making Ten: Break apart 5 to make 10 with 8.

8
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2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Step 1: Identify how many needed to make 10

8 needs 2 more to make 10

Step 2: Break apart the second number

Break 5 into 2 and 3 (5 = 2 + 3)

Step 3: Make 10

8 + 2 = 10

Step 4: Add the remaining part

10 + 3 = 13

8 + 5 = 13
Final answer:

8 + 5 = 13

Applied rules:

• Decomposition: Break apart one addend strategically

• Number Bonds: Know that 8 + 2 = 10

• Sequential Addition: Add in parts (make 10, then add remainder)

2 Making Ten with 9
Exercise 2
9 + 4 = ?
Strategy:

Making Ten: Break apart 4 to make 10 with 9.

9
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2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Step 1: Identify how many needed to make 10

9 needs 1 more to make 10

Step 2: Break apart the second number

Break 4 into 1 and 3 (4 = 1 + 3)

Step 3: Make 10

9 + 1 = 10

Step 4: Add the remaining part

10 + 3 = 13

9 + 4 = 13
Final answer:

9 + 4 = 13

Applied rules:

• Decomposition: Break apart one addend strategically

• Number Bonds: Know that 9 + 1 = 10

• Sequential Addition: Add in parts (make 10, then add remainder)

3 Advanced Making Ten
Exercise 3
7 + 6 = ?
Strategy:

Making Ten: Break apart 6 to make 10 with 7.

Step 1: Identify how many needed to make 10

7 needs 3 more to make 10

Step 2: Break apart the second number

Break 6 into 3 and 3 (6 = 3 + 3)

Step 3: Make 10

7 + 3 = 10

Step 4: Add the remaining part

10 + 3 = 13

7 + 6 = 13
Final answer:

7 + 6 = 13

Applied rules:

• Decomposition: Break apart one addend strategically

• Number Bonds: Know that 7 + 3 = 10

• Sequential Addition: Add in parts (make 10, then add remainder)

Solution: Exercises 4 to 5
4 Making Ten with Smaller Numbers
Exercise 4
6 + 8 = ?
Strategy:

Making Ten: Break apart 6 to make 10 with 8.

Step 1: Identify how many needed to make 10

8 needs 2 more to make 10

Step 2: Break apart the second number

Break 6 into 2 and 4 (6 = 2 + 4)

Step 3: Make 10

8 + 2 = 10

Step 4: Add the remaining part

10 + 4 = 14

6 + 8 = 14
Final answer:

6 + 8 = 14

Applied rules:

• Decomposition: Break apart one addend strategically

• Number Bonds: Know that 8 + 2 = 10

• Sequential Addition: Add in parts (make 10, then add remainder)

5 Making Ten Challenge
Exercise 5
5 + 7 = ?
Strategy:

Making Ten: Break apart 5 to make 10 with 7.

Step 1: Identify how many needed to make 10

7 needs 3 more to make 10

Step 2: Break apart the second number

Break 5 into 3 and 2 (5 = 3 + 2)

Step 3: Make 10

7 + 3 = 10

Step 4: Add the remaining part

10 + 2 = 12

5 + 7 = 12
Final answer:

5 + 7 = 12

Applied rules:

• Decomposition: Break apart one addend strategically

• Number Bonds: Know that 7 + 3 = 10

• Sequential Addition: Add in parts (make 10, then add remainder)

Questions & Answers

Question: Why do we need to make 10? Why not just add the numbers normally?

Answer: Great question! Making 10 is like having a special shortcut that makes addition faster and easier:

Why making 10 helps:

  • 10 is an easy number to work with
  • We know 10 + any number quickly (10 + 3 = 13)
  • It breaks hard problems into easier parts
  • It builds number sense and mental math skills

Instead of counting 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 for 8 + 5, we think: "8 + 2 = 10, then 10 + 3 = 13" - much faster!

Question: My child doesn't understand how to break apart numbers. How can I help?

Answer: Breaking apart numbers can be tricky at first! Here are ways to help your child understand:

Teaching approaches:

  • Use physical objects: Show 5 blocks and separate them into 2 and 3
  • Draw circles: Draw 5 circles and color 2 one color, 3 another
  • Use number bonds: Show that 5 = 2 + 3 with visual models
  • Practice with smaller numbers: Start with 3 = 1 + 2, then move to bigger numbers

The key is showing that numbers can be split into parts that work together!

Question: What if I forget which numbers make 10? How can I remember?

Answer: Here are some tricks to remember the pairs that make 10:

Memory aids:

  • Counting up: If you have 7, count up to 10 (7, 8, 9, 10) - that's 3 more!
  • Use your fingers: Hold up 7 fingers, count the empty ones (3)
  • Pattern thinking: 1+9, 2+8, 3+7, 4+6, 5+5 (notice the pattern!)
  • Practice regularly: The more you practice, the more automatic it becomes

You can also draw a ten frame and fill in what you have, then count what's empty!