1st Grade Making 10 Quizzes

While kindergarten focuses on finding pairs that make 10 (e.g., 7+3), first grade applies this knowledge as a strategy for more complex addition. For example, students learn to solve 8+5 by decomposing 5 into 2 and 3, making a ten (8+2), and then adding the remaining 3.

Use a number bond and a ten frame to visualize the process. To solve 9+4, show students how to 'break apart' the 4 into 1 and 3. Then, move the 1 to the 9 to complete the ten frame, leaving 3 outside. This visually demonstrates that 9+4 is the same as 10+3.

Practice should bridge the concrete to the abstract. Start with problems that use ten frames to guide the decomposition. Then, move to number bond exercises that require students to break apart the second addend. Finally, present simple addition problems and encourage them to use the 'make a ten' strategy mentally.

Students often struggle with decomposing the second number correctly. For 8+5, they might not immediately see that they need a 2 from the 5. They may also correctly make a ten but then forget to add the 'leftover' part, like the 3 in 8+2+3. Consistent practice with visual aids helps solidify this multi-step process.

This quiz is designed for flexible use. You can host it as a digital quiz on Wayground for immediate feedback or print the PDF for independent practice or homework. Every quiz includes a complete answer key to streamline grading.

This resource directly supports the Common Core's emphasis on using strategies to add and subtract within 20 (1.OA.C.6), where 'making ten' is explicitly named as a key approach. Mastering it in first grade is crucial for developing the fluency needed for multi-digit computation in second grade.

For students who need more support, use Wayground's digital assignment settings to provide extended time or enable the Read Aloud feature. For those ready for a challenge, you can use Wayground's editor to create problems with larger numbers that require making a ten as an intermediate step.