Trading Tens: Adding with Base Ten Blocks!

Math Grades 1st Grade 5:30 Video
Print Lesson Plan Watch Video

Lesson Description

Learn how to use base ten blocks to add numbers by trading ones for tens! This lesson will help you understand place value and make adding easier.

Video Resource

Watch These 1st Graders Ace Math Trading and Adding! Kids Academy

Kids Academy

Duration: 5:30
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Place Value (Tens and Ones)
  • Base Ten Blocks (Cubes and Longs)
  • Trading Ones for Tens

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify and represent numbers using base ten blocks.
  • Students will be able to add numbers using base ten blocks by trading ten ones for one ten.
  • Students will be able to explain the relationship between ones and tens.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by reviewing the concept of place value. Ask students what each digit in a two-digit number represents (tens and ones). Introduce base ten blocks – cubes (ones) and longs (tens). Show examples of how base ten blocks represent different numbers (e.g., 23 = 2 longs and 3 cubes).
  • Video Viewing (7 mins)
    Play the "Watch These 1st Graders Ace Math Trading and Adding! Kids Academy" video. Encourage students to pay attention to how the characters in the video use base ten blocks to add and trade ones for tens.
  • Guided Practice (10 mins)
    After the video, work through several addition problems together as a class using base ten blocks. For example, 'Let's add 14 + 18.' Represent each number with blocks. Combine the ones. If there are more than 10 ones, trade 10 ones for 1 ten. Count the total number of tens and ones to find the answer.
  • Independent Practice (10 mins)
    Provide students with worksheets containing addition problems. Have them use base ten blocks to solve the problems and record their answers. Encourage them to draw pictures of the base ten blocks if they don’t have enough physical blocks.
  • Wrap Up (3 mins)
    Review the concept of trading ones for tens. Ask students to explain in their own words why this strategy works. Collect worksheets for assessment.

Interactive Exercises

  • Base Ten Block Addition Game
    Use an online interactive base ten block tool or app to allow students to practice adding numbers and trading ones for tens in a game format. Several free options are available online by searching 'Base Ten Block Games'.
  • Partner Trading
    Divide students into pairs. Give each pair a set of base ten blocks. One student creates a number, and the other student adds a second number using the blocks. They must trade ones for tens when necessary. Rotate roles.

Discussion Questions

  • What does each cube represent?
  • What does each long represent?
  • Why do we trade 10 ones for 1 ten?
  • How does using base ten blocks help us add?

Skills Developed

  • Place Value Understanding
  • Addition Skills
  • Problem-Solving
  • Visual Representation

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What does a cube represent?

Correct Answer: 1

Question 2:

What does a long represent?

Correct Answer: 10

Question 3:

How many ones make a ten?

Correct Answer: 10

Question 4:

If you have 12 ones, how many tens can you make?

Correct Answer: 1

Question 5:

What is 2 longs and 3 cubes?

Correct Answer: 23

Question 6:

You have 1 long and 5 cubes. How many in all?

Correct Answer: 15

Question 7:

If you have 10 cubes, what can you trade them for?

Correct Answer: 1 long

Question 8:

What number is the same as 3 longs?

Correct Answer: 30

Question 9:

You have 1 long and 11 cubes. After trading, what do you have?

Correct Answer: 1 long 11 cubes

Question 10:

Which number has 4 tens and 0 ones?

Correct Answer: 40

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

A long is worth _____ ones.

Correct Answer: 10

Question 2:

A cube is worth _____.

Correct Answer: 1

Question 3:

When you trade, you get one _____ for ten ones.

Correct Answer: long

Question 4:

23 is made of 2 _____ and 3 ones.

Correct Answer: tens

Question 5:

One long and four cubes is the number _____.

Correct Answer: 14

Question 6:

The number 30 is the same as _____ longs.

Correct Answer: 3

Question 7:

When you have ten ones, you can make one _____.

Correct Answer: ten

Question 8:

The number 19 has one _____ and nine ones.

Correct Answer: ten

Question 9:

4 longs and 2 cubes is the number _____.

Correct Answer: 42

Question 10:

_____ ones make 2 tens.

Correct Answer: 20

Educational Standards

1.NBT.C.4:Add within 100, including adding a two-digit number and a one-digit number, and adding a two-digit number and a multiple of 10, using concrete models or drawings and strategies based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction; relate the strategy to a written method and explain the reasoning used. Understand that in adding two-digit numbers, one adds tens and tens, ones and ones; and sometimes it is necessary to compose a ten. 1.NBT.B.2:Understand that the two digits of a two-digit number represent amounts of tens and ones. Understand the following as special cases: CCSS.Math.Content.1.NBT.B.2.A: [Objective] 10 can be thought of as a bundle of ten ones — called a "ten." 1.OA.A.1:Use addition and subtraction within 20 to solve word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing, with unknowns in all positions, e.g., by using objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.

Teaching Materials

Download ready-to-use materials for this lesson:

Student Worksheet Classroom Slides Assessment Quiz Export to Google Docs
Add to Google Classroom

User Actions

Sign in to save this lesson plan to your favorites.

Sign In

Share This Lesson

Related Lesson Plans