Make a Ten Game

Make a Ten Game This game is a “Make a Ten” Addition Trainer. Instead of just counting what is there, the student must now calculate the missing part needed to complete a whole ten. Scroll down the page for a more detailed explanation.
 
Check out these other Ten-Frame games:
Dot Hunter (Ten Frame)
Dot Hunter (Up to 20)

 

 

How the Make a Ten Game Works

1. The game populates the ten-frame with a random number of dots (between 1 and 9). An equation displays the number of dots currently in the frame, followed by a blue “blank” (?) that represents the empty spaces.
   
2. When a student clicks a number, it fills the blank in the equation and the missing dots “fly” into the empty slots to complete the ten-frame.
3. On a wrong answer, the blank turns red and shows the correct number, while the correct button glows green.
   Your score is tracked at the top, showing how many you’ve gotten right out of the total you’ve tried.
   
4. Click “Exit to Menu” to restart the game.
    
   Make a Ten Strategy
   Here is a detailed breakdown of how this strategy works for early learners.
   
   
5. Recognizing “Friends of Ten”
   Before a student can use the strategy, they must become fluent in identifying pairs that equal 10. The ten-frame is the perfect tool for this because it provides a visual “home” for these pairs.
   The Concept: If you have 7, you are missing exactly 3 to fill the box.
   The Visualization: The student stops seeing 7 as a standalone number and starts seeing it as “10 minus 3."
   
   
6. Decomposing to Reach the Benchmark
   When adding two numbers within 10, the strategy involves looking at the “gap” left in a ten-frame.
   Example: 6 + 4
   The Thought Process: “I have 6 dots in my frame. I see 4 empty holes. If I put these 4 dots into those holes, I have a full frame of 10."
   The Goal: Moving from counting one-by-one (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6… 7, 8, 9, 10) to instant recognition that the remaining space is exactly what is needed.
   
   
7. The “Missing Addend” Connection
   The “Make a Ten” strategy is actually the first time a student performs algebraic thinking. They are solving for x in the equation:
   6 + x = 10
   By using the structured rows of the ten-frame, the student uses spatial reasoning to solve the problem:
   They see the top row is full (5).They see one dot on the bottom row (1).They see 4 empty boxes on the bottom row.
   Conclusion: 4 is the missing piece.
   
   
8. Transitioning to “Bridging” (Sums over 10)
   Understanding how to make a ten within 10 is useful for harder math later. Once a student knows that 8 + 2 = 10, they can solve 8 + 5 easily:
   Break the 5: Split 5 into 2 + 3.
   Fill the 10: Give 2 to the 8 to make 10.
   Add the rest: 10 + 3 = 13.
    
   Summary of Benefits Feature
   

• Encourages Fluency Pairs:
  The student begins to memorize “Friends of 10” (like 7 and 3, or 6 and 4). Eventually, they won’t count the empty spaces; they will just know the answer.
  
• Prevents Finger Counting:
  Finger counting becomes slow and difficult for large numbers. Mastering the ten-frame allows students to “see” numbers in their head instead of relying on their hands.
   
  This video gives a clear, step-by-step approach to learn addition using friends of 10.
  
  • Show Video
  
   
  

Try out our new and fun Fraction Concoction Game.

Add and subtract fractions to make exciting fraction concoctions following a recipe. There are four levels of difficulty: Easy, medium, hard and insane. Practice the basics of fraction addition and subtraction or challenge yourself with the insane level.

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