Grade 1 Making ten Worksheets

Understanding making ten

Making ten asks learners to find the number that completes a total of ten. Because ten is the foundation of our place-value system, knowing all the pairs that bond to ten speeds up mental addition, supports the make-a-ten strategy for crossing into the next decade, and lays groundwork for adding within twenty and beyond.

If one part is 6, the missing part is 4, because 6 + 4 = 10. If one part is 8, the missing part is 2. A common mistake is guessing a near number such as 5 for a partner of 6, or adding instead of completing, so a learner writes 16. Tip: picture a ten-frame with the given number of counters filled in; the empty spaces show the partner you need. Practising the pairs 1 and 9, 2 and 8, 3 and 7, 4 and 6, 5 and 5 until they are automatic pays off everywhere.