10 More or Less Worksheets

What Are 10 More or Less Worksheets?

These worksheets will help children develop their number sense and improve their ability to count and understand the concept of addition and subtraction by tens. These worksheets feature activities and exercises that ask children to identify numbers that are ten more or ten less than a given number.

They mostly come in the form of simple math problems, such as “what is ten more than 45?” or “what is ten less than 80?”. These worksheets often include visual aids, such as illustrations or images of objects, to help children count and understand the concept of adding or subtracting by tens.

These worksheets will help students set on the path of understanding the concept of base ten numbers. In the base ten system, we have ten digits: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. These digits are like building blocks that we use to create all the numbers. Just like how we use bricks to build houses, we use these digits to build numbers!

The position of each digit is really important in base ten numbers. We have different places like ones, tens, hundreds, and so on. The position tells us how much each digit is worth. The rightmost position is the ones place, the next position to the left is the tens place, and it keeps going like that.

Let’s take the number 352 as an example. The digit 2 is in the ones place, the digit 5 is in the tens place, and the digit 3 is in the hundreds place. So, when we read the number 352, we say “three hundred fifty-two.” Each digit’s position helps us understand its value.

The base ten system is important because it makes it easy for us to understand and work with numbers. It allows us to count and group things efficiently. For example, if you have 3 groups of 10 apples each, you can easily see that you have 30 apples in total.

The base ten system is the foundation for many other mathematical concepts we learn, like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It helps us understand how numbers relate to each other and how we can manipulate them.

So, base ten numbers are a special way we use to write and understand numbers using ten digits and different positions. It helps us work with numbers easily and do all sorts of math operations.

What is 10 More or Less?

It is a foundational skill in early elementary math that helps children understand number relationships, place value, and arithmetic patterns. Mastering this skill allows students to perform mental math more efficiently, especially as they begin to work with larger numbers and progress in their understanding of addition and subtraction.

Imagine this: you’re holding a number in your mind, like 32. Now, if you were to add 10, something magical happens-but only to one part of the number! The 3 in the tens place turns into a 4, leaving the ones place completely unchanged. Just like that, 32 becomes 42. If you take away 10, the tens digit drops to 2, and you’re left with 22. It’s all about place value—understanding that adding or subtracting 10 affects only the tens place, while the ones place stays the same. This simple but powerful idea opens the door to deeper number sense.

But there’s more to it than just place value-it’s about developing a superpower: mental math. Once kids master this skill, they can quickly compute these changes in their heads without needing to count on their fingers or look at a number line. It’s like a shortcut for their brains, making math faster and easier. And as they get better at this, they’re also preparing for more complex tasks, like adding or subtracting even bigger multiples of 10, such as 20 or 30.

Even more exciting, kids start recognizing patterns! Picture this: you begin with 35. If you add 10, it jumps to 45; subtract 10, and it drops to 25. Every time, the number changes by exactly 10. It’s consistent, predictable, and, most importantly, it helps them grasp the rhythm of numbers. Starting with 56? Add 10, and you’re at 66. Take away 10, and you land at 46. This pattern strengthens their ability to think ahead and make confident guesses about numbers.

Now, let’s zoom out and think bigger. This skill isn’t just for small numbers-it’s a stepping stone to tackling larger ones. When kids understand how 10 affects a number, they can easily generalize that knowledge to adding or subtracting 100, or even 1,000. It’s like leveling up in a game, where mastering smaller moves prepares them for the bigger, more challenging tasks.

And the best part? This isn’t just something they do in math class-it shows up everywhere in real life. Take money, for example. Imagine a child has $45 and receives a $10 bill for their allowance. Instantly, they know they now have $55. Or, if they spend $10 on snacks from a $50 stash, they can quickly figure out they’re left with $40. Knowing the concept of 10 More or Less helps them handle their own mini-finances like a pro!

They can also apply this skill when managing time. Let’s say they’re waiting for something at 2:30, and it’s going to happen 10 minutes later. They don’t need to count every minute-they just know it will be 2:40. And if it’s starting 10 minutes earlier than expected? No problem! It’s 2:20 now.

Even measuring things becomes easier. If they’re measuring the length of a piece of string and need it to be 10 inches longer, they don’t have to re-measure from scratch. They know that if it’s 25 inches long now, making it 10 inches longer will give them 35 inches. Quick, simple adjustments like this are made easy with the skill.

This skill is also handy during games that involve counting spaces or steps. If a board game asks them to move forward or backward by 10 spaces, they can do it without hesitation. They instantly know how far they’ll go—no second-guessing.

And don’t forget about monitoring the weather! If it was 70°F yesterday and today it’s 10 degrees cooler, a child can immediately calculate that the temperature is now 60°F. The ability to mentally adjust by 10 gives them a quick, easy way to understand everyday changes in the world around them.

How to Teach Kids the Concept

Teaching the concept of “10 More or Less” to children requires a balance of hands-on activities, visual aids, and strategic questioning that builds a strong foundation in place value and number sense. One of the best starting points is ensuring that children have a clear understanding of place value, particularly the role of the tens and ones places in a number. For example, you can begin by presenting two-digit numbers, such as 32, and explain how the tens place represents groups of ten while the ones place represents individual units. Once this distinction is clear, children will be better equipped to grasp that when you add or subtract 10 from a number, only the tens digit changes, while the ones digit remains constant.

To introduce the concept in an engaging way, use physical manipulatives like base-ten blocks or counters that represent tens and ones. Start with a number like 32, using three groups of ten blocks and two single blocks to visually represent the number. When you add 10 more, simply add one more group of ten blocks to demonstrate how the total increases without affecting the two single blocks. By physically manipulating these objects, children can see how adding or subtracting 10 changes the tens digit, making the abstract concept more concrete and easier to understand.

Once students grasp this visual representation, you can move on to practicing mental math strategies by using number charts or number lines. A number chart that highlights the tens can help kids see the pattern that occurs when adding or subtracting 10. For example, they can see that moving up or down a row on the chart represents a change of exactly 10, whether they’re starting at 24 or 87. This visual pattern is crucial in helping them generalize the concept and apply it mentally when they no longer have physical tools like blocks or charts in front of them.

Another effective way to solidify the “10 More or Less” concept is through interactive games that involve number manipulation. For example, you can create a game where students roll dice to generate a two-digit number, then decide whether to add or subtract 10. They can either use a number line to count forward or backward or calculate mentally, and the goal is to land on certain target numbers. Games like this not only make the learning process fun but also give children ample opportunities to practice the skill in a low-pressure, playful environment.

As students become more comfortable with the basics, it’s essential to introduce word problems that involve real-world scenarios, making the concept relevant and practical. You might pose a problem like, “If you have 45 marbles and you find 10 more, how many do you have now?” or “You had 67 stickers, but you gave 10 away. How many stickers do you have left?” These kinds of problems help children apply their understanding of 10 More or Less in everyday situations, reinforcing the idea that numbers are not just abstract symbols but tools for solving real-life problems.

Incorporating technology can also be a useful method for teaching this concept. There are numerous apps and online games designed to help children practice adding and subtracting 10 in a fun, interactive format. These tools often offer immediate feedback, which is crucial for helping students understand their mistakes and improve. They can also provide varied difficulty levels, allowing children to start with simpler numbers and gradually work their way up to more complex ones, reinforcing their understanding step by step.

It’s important to constantly encourage students to verbalize their thought process as they work through problems. Ask questions like, “What happens when you add 10?” or “Why does only the tens digit change when you subtract 10?” Encouraging them to explain the concept in their own words helps deepen their understanding and identify any areas where they might still be confused. This dialogue can also help reinforce the pattern they’ve been observing through the number charts, manipulatives, and mental math exercises.

A helpful next step is to create anchor charts or visual aids in the classroom that students can refer to throughout the lesson. An anchor chart might show a number line with arrows pointing forward and backward to represent adding or subtracting 10. It could also show specific examples, such as starting with 56 and adding 10 to get 66, or subtracting 10 to get 46. These visual reminders can reinforce the lessons and provide students with a quick reference point when they feel stuck.

Once students are proficient with adding and subtracting 10 using smaller numbers, challenge them with larger numbers to ensure they can generalize the concept beyond the basics. Ask them to consider what happens when they add or subtract 10 to a number like 132 or 745. Although these numbers are bigger, the principle remains the same: only the tens place changes. By practicing with larger numbers, children can build confidence in their ability to apply the concept of 10 More or Less in more complex situations.

Group activities can be another excellent way to reinforce the concept. You might assign students to small groups and give each group a set of number cards. Their task could be to draw a card, add or subtract 10, and then discuss their solution with their group members. This collaborative approach not only allows them to learn from one another but also promotes communication and deeper thinking as they articulate their reasoning and listen to others’ strategies.

By using manipulatives, technology, group work, and individualized practice, you can help students build a strong foundation in place value and mental math. Encouraging them to verbalize their thought process, providing regular review, and celebrating their successes will further enhance their understanding and confidence. With consistent practice and support, students will not only master the concept of 10 More or Less but also develop a deeper appreciation for the beauty and logic of mathematics.