Adding and taking away to twenty

Ages 6 to 8 Read together, then try alone · about 15 minutes

Read together

Some numbers are partners. They make a total together.

7 and 3 make 10. So 10 take away 3 is 7.

Adding and taking away are connected.

Do it

1. Write the numbers 0 to 10 on cards. Find pairs that make 10: 1 and 9, 2 and 8, 3 and 7, 4 and 6, 5 and 5.
2. Use 10 objects in two groups. Move one at a time from one group to the other and say each pair.
3. Try partners for 20: 12 and 8, 15 and 5.
4. Write the matching taking-away facts: 10 − 3 = 7.

Talk about it

• What is the partner of 6 to make 10?
• What is 15 take away 5?

For the grown-up

Knowing pairs that make 10 and 20 makes adding and taking away faster. Play it as a game, with cards or a ten-frame. Do not push speed.

Mark as done

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Where this comes from

This is a play and practice activity with no factual claims to source.

Written with AI assistance and checked against the sources listed. Please read it before sharing it with a child.