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Adding by completing whole tens

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Free printable adding by completing whole tens worksheets for 2nd grade. Students use the make-a-ten strategy to add two numbers by first bridging to the next ten and then adding the remainder, developing efficient mental addition techniques. This approach helps students move beyond counting-on to more sophisticated addition strategies. Part of our addition worksheets collection.

What You'll Learn

  • Add numbers by first bridging up to the next whole ten
  • Break the second addend into parts to complete a ten first
  • Apply the make-a-ten strategy to solve addition efficiently

FAQ

How does the completing-whole-tens strategy work step by step?

To add 27 + 8, students note that 27 needs 3 to reach 30, split the 8 into 3 + 5, add 27 + 3 = 30, then add 30 + 5 = 35 — using the ten as a midpoint.

Why is the completing-whole-tens strategy considered more efficient than counting on?

It leverages known decade-number facts and reduces the number of mental steps required, making it faster and less error-prone for numbers that span a ten boundary.

How can teachers introduce this strategy before students encounter it on worksheets?

Use two-colored counters and a ten-frame to physically show splitting one addend into two parts — the amount needed to fill the frame and the leftover — before moving to abstract notation.

Grade
2nd Grade
Ages
Ages 7-8
Subject
Math
Format
Printable PDF

Ratings & Reviews

3

Tom B.

Learning Specialist · Verified download

May 2026

This will be a great addition. I already recommend ClassWeekly to all the families I work with.

Helpful · 10

Sarah K.

Kindergarten Teacher · Verified download

May 2026

So excited for this to be ready! My students really need more practice with this topic.

Helpful · 11

Emily W.

Homeschool parent · Verified download

May 2026

Excited for this one! I've been hunting for a good printable on this topic for weeks.

Helpful · 9

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