Second Grade · Math · week 1

Make a ten and doubles

Review the make-a-ten and doubles strategies to add within 20 quickly.

You know some fast tricks for adding. Making a ten is one: turn a number into a ten first, then add what is left. Doubles is another: adding a number to itself, like 6 + 6.

These tricks help you add without counting one by one. The more you practice them, the faster your brain finds the answer.

📋 For the teacher
Teach it (10–15 min):
  • Grab real objects -- beans, coins, crackers. Make "groups of ten" you can touch before writing a single number.
  • Ask which strategy fits before adding: is one number close to 10? Is it the same number twice?
  • Show both steps out loud every time: "make the ten, then add what is left."
  • Keep facts under 20 this week -- this is a warm-up, not new ground.
Talk about it:
  • What does "make a ten" mean in your own words?
  • Which doubles facts do you already know by heart?
  • How do these tricks help you add faster than counting?

Mastery looks like: They pick make-a-ten or doubles on their own and use it to add within 20 accurately.

Common stumbles: Forgetting to add the leftover part after making the ten; calling a near-double (like 6 + 7) a doubles fact.

See it visually

Interactive, spoken-aloud tools that show this idea in motion.

AdditionSee groups combine — with counters, blocks, and the number line.try →
Homework for this lessonType it, write it with a stylus, or print it for pencil & paper.open →
Records attendance + 15 min of Math for this learner.
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