Sums of 10

Last week in math we focused on finding pairs of numbers who's sum is 10.  We used a variety of  math tools to practice making 10 including ten frames with pennies, number lines, and making-10 bracelets.  We put a quantity of pennies on our ten frame and counted the blank spaces we would need to fill in order to make a total of ten.  When using our number grids we put our finger on the number and counted how many hops it would take to get to ten.  The making-10 bracelet allowed us to manipulate one quantity of beads on one side of the bracelet and see the remaining beads left that we would add together to get a total of 10.  We discovered that 1+9=10, 2+8=10, 3+7=10, and so on.  Understanding and being able to recognize these addition facts with ease will set the foundation for our work with addition throughout the year.  

 You can reinforce this skill by playing a game entitled Penny Plate at home!  Grab 10 pennies, or ten small household objects, and a paper plate.  Have your 1st grader close their eyes while you hide a number of the pennies under the plate.  Put the remaining pennies on top of the plate.  Have your child solve the mystery of determining how many pennies are hidden under the plate using one of the strategies listed above.  With practice these facts will become second nature to your 1st grader.  

We've also been loving this YouTube video that reinforces our sums of 10 facts!