Making Ten Worksheet | Grade 1 Math Printable

This Grade 1 math worksheet provides targeted practice for students learning to find the missing addend that completes a sum of ten. By utilizing visual ten-frame models, students develop a concrete understanding of number pairs and algebraic thinking. This resource ensures students build the mental math fluency required for more complex arithmetic operations.

At a Glance

• Grade: 1 · Subject: Math
• Standard: CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.OA.C.6 — Add and subtract within 10 fluently using strategies like making ten
• Skill Focus: Making Ten with Ten Frames
• Format: 3 pages · 11 problems · Answer key included · PDF
• Best For: Independent practice or formative assessment
• Time: 15–20 minutes

Inside this 3-page PDF, you will find 11 structured multiple-choice questions. Each problem presents an incomplete addition equation (e.g., 5 + ___ = 10) paired with a blank ten-frame. This visual scaffold allows students to draw or visualize the remaining counters needed to reach ten before selecting the correct answer from four distinct options. The clear layout and large font make it accessible for young learners.

The zero-prep workflow for this resource is designed for maximum efficiency in the classroom. First, print the three pages for your roster, which takes less than 30 seconds. Second, distribute the sheets during your math block or as a morning warm-up; the self-explanatory instructions require no teacher introduction. Finally, review the answers using the included key for a total teacher prep and grading time of under 3 minutes. This makes it an ideal choice for emergency sub plans or quick skill checks.

This worksheet is strictly aligned to `CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.OA.C.6`, which focuses on adding and subtracting within 20 and demonstrating fluency for addition and subtraction within 10. It specifically targets the strategy of "making ten" as a foundational pillar for base-ten understanding. This standard code can be copied directly into lesson plans, IEP goals, or district curriculum mapping tools.

To use this effectively, assign it as a formative assessment after a direct instruction lesson on ten-frames. As students work, circulate and observe if they are counting the empty boxes in the ten-frame or using known facts. This observation provides immediate data on who has reached mastery and who needs further intervention. Most students will complete the 11 tasks within 15 to 20 minutes.

This resource is designed for first-grade students but is also highly effective for second-grade students requiring RTI support or remedial practice. It pairs naturally with physical manipulatives like two-color counters or a large classroom anchor chart showing the rainbow of ten. The multiple-choice format also prepares students for the structure of standardized testing in a low-stakes environment.

Research by Fisher & Frey (2014) emphasizes that visual scaffolds, such as the ten-frames used in this worksheet, are essential for the gradual release of responsibility. By providing a clear visual representation of the number ten, this worksheet bridges the gap between concrete manipulation and abstract numerical fluency. The inclusion of 11 specific tasks ensures enough repetition to move the concept into long-term memory without causing cognitive fatigue. According to recent NAEP data, students who master composing and decomposing ten in the first grade show significantly higher proficiency in multi-digit addition in later years. This worksheet provides the structured, high-repetition practice necessary to achieve that mastery. The standard CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.OA.C.6 is addressed through the specific student action of identifying missing addends to reach a benchmark of ten, a skill that serves as a prerequisite for the "make-a-ten" strategy in larger addition problems.