What is the making a ten strategy for addition?

📚 What is the Making a Ten Strategy?

The 'making a ten' strategy is a mental math technique used to simplify addition problems, especially when adding numbers that result in a sum greater than ten. It involves breaking down one of the addends to create a ten with the other addend, and then adding the remaining amount. This strategy leverages the ease of working with the number 10 to make addition faster and more intuitive.

📜 History and Background

While the exact origins are difficult to pinpoint, the 'making a ten' strategy is rooted in number sense and place value understanding, concepts that have been fundamental to mathematics education for centuries. Its prevalence in modern curricula stems from its effectiveness in building number fluency and mental calculation skills in young learners. The strategy aligns with educational philosophies that emphasize conceptual understanding over rote memorization.

🔑 Key Principles of Making a Ten

• 🎯 Decomposition: Breaking down a number into its components. For example, recognizing that 7 can be decomposed into 5 and 2.
• 🔟 Ten as a Benchmark: Using 10 as a reference point to simplify calculations. Adding to 10 is generally easier for students.
• ➕ Recomposition: Combining the remaining components after making ten. For instance, after making ten, adding the leftover amount to reach the final sum.

➕ How to Apply the Making a Ten Strategy

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use this strategy:

1. Identify the Addends: Determine the two numbers you want to add together.
2. Find a Number to Make Ten: Look for the number closest to ten and decide how much it needs to reach ten.
3. Decompose the Other Number: Break down the other number into two parts: one that will help make ten, and the remainder.
4. Make Ten: Combine the part that makes ten with the first number.
5. Add the Remainder: Add the remaining part to ten to get the final answer.

✏️ Real-World Examples

Example 1: 8 + 6 = ?

• 🔢 You have 8 and need to add 6.
• ➗ Think: How much does 8 need to reach 10? It needs 2.
• 💡 Break down 6 into 2 + 4.
• 💯 Add 2 to 8 to make 10.
• ✅ Now add the remaining 4 to 10. 10 + 4 = 14.
• ∴ Therefore, 8 + 6 = 14.

Example 2: 7 + 5 = ?

• 🍎 You have 7 and need to add 5.
• 🤔 Think: How much does 7 need to reach 10? It needs 3.
• ✨ Break down 5 into 3 + 2.
• 👍 Add 3 to 7 to make 10.
• 🚀 Now add the remaining 2 to 10. 10 + 2 = 12.
• ✅ Therefore, 7 + 5 = 12.

➕ Making a Ten with Larger Numbers

The making a ten strategy can also be extended to larger numbers. For example, to solve $38 + 7$, you can think of it as $38 + 2 + 5$. Since $38 + 2 = 40$, the problem becomes $40 + 5 = 45$. This reinforces place value understanding and mental math skills.

💡 Benefits of the Making a Ten Strategy

• 🧠 Improved Number Sense: Enhances understanding of number relationships and decomposition.
• 🚀 Mental Math Skills: Develops the ability to perform calculations mentally without relying on written methods.
• ➕ Increased Fluency: Makes addition faster and more accurate.
• 👍 Foundation for More Complex Math: Provides a solid base for learning more advanced mathematical concepts.

📝 Conclusion

The 'making a ten' strategy is a valuable tool for developing number sense and mental math skills. By understanding and applying this strategy, students can approach addition problems with greater confidence and accuracy. It not only simplifies calculations but also builds a strong foundation for future mathematical learning.