Addition Within 10
Adding numbers up to 10 is the MOST IMPORTANT math skill in Kindergarten. Every math you do for the rest of your life builds on it. Today you will learn three easy strategies that make adding FAST and FUN.
Strategy 1: Counting On
To add 5 + 3:\n\n1. Start with the BIGGER number (5).\n2. Count UP by the other number: 5... 6, 7, 8.\n3. Done! 5 + 3 = 8.\n\nAlways start with the BIGGER number to save time. Try it with 2 + 6: start at 6, count 7, 8. Answer: 8!
Strategy 2: Finger Power
Your hands have 10 fingers — PERFECT for adding within 10!\n\nTo add 4 + 3:\n1. Hold up 4 fingers on one hand.\n2. Hold up 3 fingers on the other.\n3. Count ALL your fingers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.\n4. Answer: 7!\n\nNobody is ever "too old" to use fingers. Pros use them too.
Strategy 3: Making 10
Some adds are FAST because they make 10:\n\n- 1 + 9 = 10\n- 2 + 8 = 10\n- 3 + 7 = 10\n- 4 + 6 = 10\n- 5 + 5 = 10\n\nMemorize these. They're called "tens friends." Knowing them makes adding bigger numbers MUCH easier later.
What is 6 + 2?
Addition Words
In math problems, many words mean ADD:\n\n- **plus** (3 plus 2)\n- **and** (3 and 2)\n- **sum** ("What is the sum of 3 and 2?")\n- **total** ("What is the total?")\n- **altogether** ("How many altogether?")\n- **in all** ("How many in all?")\n\nWhen you see these — ADD!
What are the "tens friends"?
Addition Story
1. Use stuffed animals (or drawings).\n2. Make up a story: "4 teddy bears had a picnic. Then 3 more came."\n3. How many altogether?\n4. Count them.\n5. Write: 4 + 3 = 7.\n6. Make up 5 different stories. Addition is STORY math.
Tens Friends Cards
1. Write the numbers 0-10 on small cards.\n2. Shuffle.\n3. Flip one card — say its tens friend out loud (the number it pairs with to make 10).\n4. Flip 10 — no friend! It's already 10.\n5. Do all 11 cards as fast as you can.\n6. Practice every day.
What is 5 + 5?
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