How does the make a ten strategy work in addition?

📚 What is the 'Make a Ten' Strategy?

The 'make a ten' strategy is a mental math technique used to simplify addition problems. Instead of directly adding two numbers, you break one number down to help the other number reach ten. Once you have ten, it's much easier to add the remaining amount. This is especially helpful when adding numbers close to ten!

📜 History and Background

While the exact origins are difficult to pinpoint, the 'make a ten' strategy aligns with the development of number sense and place value understanding in early mathematics education. It became a more formalized technique as educators looked for ways to help children visualize and manipulate numbers more effectively. The approach supports a deeper understanding of how numbers relate to each other, rather than rote memorization of facts.

🔑 Key Principles of the 'Make a Ten' Strategy

• 🎯 Identify Numbers Close to Ten: Recognize when one or both numbers in an addition problem are near ten.
• 🔨 Break Down Numbers: Decompose one of the addends (numbers being added) into two parts.
• ➕ Form a Ten: Use one part of the decomposed number to add to the other addend, creating a sum of ten.
• ✅ Add Remaining Amount: Add the remaining part of the decomposed number to the ten.

➕ How Does it Work?

Let's break down how the 'make a ten' strategy works in addition with an example.

Example: 8 + 5 = ?

1. 🔎 Step 1: Identify the number closest to 10 (which is 8).
2. 🔨 Step 2: Determine how much 8 needs to reach 10 (it needs 2).
3. ➗ Step 3: Break down 5 into 2 + 3.
4. ➕ Step 4: Add 2 to 8 to make 10 (8 + 2 = 10).
5. ✅ Step 5: Add the remaining 3 to 10 (10 + 3 = 13).

Therefore, 8 + 5 = 13

➕ Real-World Examples

• 🍪 Baking Cookies: You need 13 cookies for a party. You've already baked 7. How many more do you need to bake? (7 + ? = 13). Think: 7 + 3 = 10, then 10 + 3 = 13. You need to bake 6 more cookies.
• ⚽ Collecting Stickers: You want 15 stickers. You already have 9. How many more do you need? (9 + ? = 15). Think: 9 + 1 = 10, then 10 + 5 = 15. You need 6 more stickers.
• 🍎 Counting Fruits: There are 6 apples and 8 oranges in a basket. How many fruits are there in total? (6 + 8 = ?). Think: 8 + 2 = 10, then 10 + 4 = 14. There are 14 fruits in total.

💡 Tips for Mastering the 'Make a Ten' Strategy

• Practice regularly with different numbers.
• Use visual aids like number lines or blocks.
• Start with smaller numbers and gradually increase the difficulty.

➕ Conclusion

The 'make a ten' strategy is a valuable tool for developing number sense and mental math skills. By understanding how to decompose numbers and form tens, students can approach addition problems with greater confidence and efficiency. With practice, this strategy becomes second nature, making math easier and more enjoyable.