Same Math › Grades 1–2 › Making ten
What is the making ten strategy?
Making ten is an adding strategy: move part of one number over to finish a ten, then add what's left. 8 + 5 becomes 8 + 2 + 3, which is 10 + 3, which is 13.
- 8 needs 2 more to make 10.
- Take 2 from the 5, leaving 3.
- 8 + 5 = 10 + 3 = 13
Why schools teach it
It's how fast adders actually think
First graders are expected to add within 20 using strategies, and making ten is named in the standard with this kind of example: 8 + 6 = 8 + 2 + 4 = 10 + 4 = 14 (1.OA.C.6). It uses two things kids already know: number bonds to 10, and that 10 + anything is easy.
The same move scales up. 38 + 5 becomes 38 + 2 + 3 = 43, and later 198 + 7 becomes 200 + 5.
At the kitchen table
What to say, and what to skip
Say this
How many more does 8 need to make 10?
Where can you get those 2 from?
From the other number. That's the key step.What's left over after you make the 10?
So what's 10 and 3?
Skip this
Just count on your fingers.
Fine at first, but making ten is the faster strategy the class is building.- Starting from the smaller number.Make ten from the bigger one: 8 + 5 is easier as 8 + 2 + 3 than 5 + 5 + 3.
That's too many steps.
It's three quick steps instead of counting five ones.
See it in action
How a first grader solves 9 + 6
9 needs 1 more to make 10
9 + 1 = 10Take the 1 from the 6
6 is 1 and 5Add what's left to 10
10 + 5 = 15
9 + anything is the easiest place to start: just take 1.
Free practice sheet
Make a making ten sheet
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Parents also ask
How is this different from number bonds?
Number bonds are the tool; making ten is the strategy that uses them. You split the 5 into 2 and 3 with a bond.
What if both numbers are small, like 3 + 4?
Making ten is for sums over 10. Under 10, kids just count on or know the fact.
Does it work with subtraction?
Yes, in reverse: 13 − 5 is 13 − 3 − 2, landing on 10 first. Some classes call this "bridging ten."
When should my child just know 8 + 5?
Fluency within 20 is a 2nd-grade goal (2.OA.B.2). Making ten is how many kids get there.