Making ten is a simple way to see number pairs that add up to 10. A ten-frame has 10 spaces, usually shown as 2 rows of 5, so students can see how many spaces are filled and how many are empty. This helps young learners count less and notice patterns more.
Knowing the partners of 10 makes addition faster and easier.
Key Facts
- A ten-frame has 10 spaces arranged as 2 rows of 5.
- The filled spaces plus the empty spaces make 10.
- If 6 spaces are filled, then 4 more make 10 because 6 + 4 = 10.
- Number partners for 10 include 0 + 10, 1 + 9, 2 + 8, 3 + 7, 4 + 6, and 5 + 5.
- To find the missing partner, count the empty spaces in the ten-frame.
- Making ten can help with bigger addition, such as 8 + 5 = 8 + 2 + 3 = 13.
Vocabulary
- Ten-frame
- A ten-frame is a box with 10 spaces used to show numbers and number pairs.
- Counter
- A counter is a small object or mark used to show one item when counting.
- Partner of 10
- A partner of 10 is a number that adds with another number to make 10.
- Missing number
- A missing number is the unknown number needed to complete an addition sentence.
- Addition
- Addition is putting numbers together to find the total.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Counting the filled spaces when asked how many more to make 10 is wrong because the answer is the number of empty spaces.
- Starting the ten-frame in random spaces can make the number harder to see because ten-frames work best when spaces are filled in order from left to right.
- Thinking 6 + 3 makes 10 is wrong because 6 + 3 = 9, so one more is still needed.
- Forgetting that the partners can switch order is wrong because 4 + 6 and 6 + 4 both make 10.
Practice Questions
- 1 A ten-frame has 7 counters. How many more counters are needed to make 10?
- 2 Fill in the missing number: 3 + ___ = 10.
- 3 Mia sees 8 + 6. Explain how she can make ten first to find the sum.