Printable make a 10 subtraction activities for first graders

📚 Understanding 'Make a 10' Subtraction

'Make a 10' subtraction is a strategy where you break down a subtraction problem to make it easier by first subtracting to reach 10. This simplifies the calculation and helps build a strong understanding of number relationships.

• 🔍 Definition: A subtraction method transforming problems into simpler equations using the number 10 as a benchmark.
• 💡 Key Principle: Decompose numbers to subtract to 10 first, then subtract the remaining amount.
• 📝 Example: To solve 13 - 5, break 5 into 3 + 2. Subtract 3 from 13 to get 10, then subtract 2 from 10 to get 8.

🗓️ History and Background

The 'Make a 10' strategy isn't tied to a single inventor but evolved as educators looked for intuitive ways to teach subtraction. It's rooted in number sense development, emphasizing how numbers relate to each other. This method has become a staple in elementary math education due to its effectiveness in building mental math skills.

• 🍎 Origins: Evolved from number sense strategies in early math education.
• 🧠 Evolution: Became popular as educators sought intuitive subtraction methods.
• 🌍 Global Use: Widely used in elementary math curricula worldwide.

➗ Key Principles of 'Make a 10' Subtraction

The core of this strategy involves decomposing numbers and leveraging the simplicity of subtracting from 10. This method is particularly useful for subtraction problems where the number being subtracted is greater than the ones digit of the number being subtracted from.

• ➕ Decomposition: Breaking down the subtrahend (the number being subtracted) into two parts.
• ➖ Subtracting to 10: First subtract one part of the subtrahend to reach 10.
• ✅ Final Subtraction: Subtract the remaining part of the subtrahend from 10.

✏️ Printable Practice Activities

Here are examples of printable activities to help master 'Make a 10' subtraction:

1. Number Bond Subtraction: Use number bonds to decompose the subtrahend. For example, in 12 - 4, decompose 4 into 2 + 2. Subtract 2 from 12 to get 10, then subtract 2 from 10 to get 8.
2. Ten-Frame Subtraction: Use ten-frames to visualize subtraction. Fill a ten-frame with counters and then remove counters to represent the subtraction problem.
3. Story Problems: Create story problems that require 'Make a 10' subtraction. For example, "Lisa has 14 stickers. She gives 6 to her friend. How many stickers does Lisa have left?"

➕ Real-World Examples

Understanding 'Make a 10' subtraction is helpful in many everyday situations.

• 🛍️ Shopping: Calculating change at a store (e.g., buying an item for $7 with a $15 bill).
• 🍪 Baking: Dividing ingredients or portions (e.g., having 16 cookies and giving away 8).
• ⏱️ Time Management: Calculating time differences (e.g., how much time is left if you have 11 minutes and need 5 more).

🧮 Practice Quiz

Solve these subtraction problems using the 'Make a 10' strategy:

1. 11 - 3 = ?
2. 12 - 5 = ?
3. 13 - 4 = ?
4. 14 - 6 = ?
5. 15 - 7 = ?
6. 16 - 8 = ?
7. 17 - 9 = ?

Answers:

1. 8
2. 7
3. 9
4. 8
5. 8
6. 8
7. 8

🏆 Conclusion

'Make a 10' subtraction is a powerful strategy for building number sense and simplifying subtraction problems for first graders. By mastering this technique, students gain confidence and improve their mental math skills. Keep practicing with printable activities to reinforce understanding and achieve math success!