Adding with Regrouping
Background Information & Activities

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Adding with regrouping can be a tricky concept for some children, so we recommend solving different number sentences together using number lines, hundred charts, and hands-on manipulatives, such as base-ten blocks. We also recommend reviewing math strategies that children can use to help solve number sentences that require regrouping. You may wish to review the Doubles and Basic Addition movies to brush up on a few strategies. This movie will cover addition with regrouping involving two-digit and one-digit numbers.

Show children the number sentence 8 + 6. Use a number line or hundred chart to solve together. Then use base-ten cubes to show the numbers 8 and 6. Remind children that a tens rod is equal to 10 cubes. They can group 10 cubes together to form 1 tens rod. That means there will be 4 cubes left over. What number does that show? Encourage children to count the ones and the tens to make the number instead of counting each cube one by one. Show that 8 + 6 = 14. Explain to children that when they regroup, they gather ten ones to make one group of ten. Repeat the activity again to solve 15 + 9 and 39 + 6. Use base-ten blocks and have children combine the cubes into rods to find each sum.

After children are familiar with regrouping using manipulatives, invite them to solve number sentences using pencil and paper. Show the number sentence 17+ 8 in vertical form. Remind children that when they add numbers with more than one digit, they add the ones column first, then add the tens column. What is 7 + 8? Some children may remember that since 8 + 8 = 16, 7 + 8 will be one less than 16, or 15. Teach them how to write 5 in the total and then carry the 1 over to the tens. Then add the tens column: 1 + 1 = 2. Therefore, 17 + 8 = 25. Solve more number sentences together, such as 56 + 9 and 87 + 4.

Present different word problems to children and have them make up their own stories for other people to solve. Have children verbally explain how they add and regroup while solving number sentences using base-ten blocks or with pencil and paper. This will help them visualize and explain the process to themselves and gives you an opportunity to guide their thinking process if they run into errors. Encourage children to not give up or get too frustrated. Regrouping can be challenging but becomes much easier with time and practice!

See more lesson plans and resources: BrainPOP Educators.

Adding with Regrouping Teacher Activities

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Regroup!

Divide children into small groups and give each group a set of base-ten blocks. If you do not have enough sets, print out base ten block drawings from the Internet and cut them apart for students. Then, have one student in each group show a large number using only ones cubes. Other group members can discuss how to regroup the ones. Remind students that when they regroup, they gather ten ones to make one group of ten. Have students trade in 10 cubes for a rod. Then have one person in each group write the number represented by the base-ten blocks. Have students swap roles and regroup different numbers.

Addition Stories

Have students make up their own word problems or addition story problems. Encourage them to use amounts that require addition with regrouping. You may wish to model a few examples for the class before having students write and illustrate their own word problems.You may also allow them to use manipulatives such as base-ten blocks or counters to solve. Afterwards, have students swap their work with a classmate to check over each other's work. Collect each child’s paper and staple them together into a class book. Title the book “Our Addition Stories” and keep it in the class library for students to read throughout the year.

Adding with Regrouping Family Activities

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Think Out Loud

Present a number sentence, such as 72 + 9. Then have your child solve the number sentence using pencil and paper. Have your child explain how he or she is solving the number sentence out loud. What is done first? What happens when you carry the one over to the tens place? Guide your child through the process, addressing any questions or misunderstandings, and then try the exercise again with other number sentences. You may want to also have your child write and draw about the steps in an addition with regrouping problem.

Pennies and Dimes

Give your child a large collection of pennies and have him or her trade in groups of ten for dimes. Then count the coins. How much money is there? Remind your child to count the dimes first with skip-counting by tens, and then count on with the pennies. Repeat the activity with different numbers of pennies. Then have your child give you a collection of pennies to regroup. You may want to make a mistake when counting your coins and see if your child can correct you.