Using 10 to Solve Puzzles

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

Numbers love to work together like sisters.

You can use tricks, like making a ten, to make math super fun and easy!

Making a Ten

Numbers can be like puzzle pieces that fit together. One of the best number puzzles is making a ten.

Count the cubes.

• How many single cubes do you see?

That's right! Ten single cubes can click together to make a ten stick.

Now, count the puzzle pieces.

• What do you notice about the puzzle?

A ten frame helps you make ten.

Imagine you have 7 blue cubes.

Now, add 3 green cubes.

Wow! Now you have 10 cubes.

So, 7 and 3 fit together perfectly to make 10. That's called making a ten.

• Isn't that neat?

Subtract With Ten

You can use a ten frame to help you subtract big numbers.

When you subtract, using ten makes it easier.

Look at this subtraction problem.

15 - 6 = ____

Start with 15 cubes on the ten frame.

10 cubes fit in the ten frame, and 5 cubes are outside. This makes 15 cubes.

You need to remove 6 cubes. First, think about how many cubes you can take away to make 10.

15 takeaway 5 equals 10.

Now, you still need to subtract more! You took away 5, but you need to take away 1 more.

Take 1 away from 10.

• How many purple cubes are left in the ten frame?

There are 9 cubes in the ten frame!

So, 15 - 6 = 9

Try one more subtraction problem.

12 - 4 = ______

Use 10 to make it easier.

Start with 12. You know 10 and 2 make 12.

First, take away 2 to make 10.

Now, you still need to subtract more! You took away 2, but you need to take away 2 more.

Take 2 away from 10.

• How many orange cubes are left?

There are 8 cubes!

So, 12 - 4 = 8

• How does using 10 make subtraction easier?
• Are you ready to practice?

Click NEXT to visit the Got It? section. You are now one step closer to helping Kate with her puzzle.