Max Rescues Statues: Collect Blocks by Tens!

About this Grade 1 Adding Multiples Of 10 Drill

Adding multiples of 10 is a cornerstone skill for first graders because it builds the foundation for all future multiplication and mental math. At ages 6-7, children's brains are developing the ability to recognize patterns, and multiples of 10 (10, 20, 30, 40) follow beautifully predictable patterns. When your child adds 20 + 30, they're not memorizing isolated facts—they're learning that 2 tens plus 3 tens makes 5 tens, or 50. This deep understanding helps them work faster and builds confidence. Mastering this skill also prepares them for two-digit addition without regrouping, a major milestone in first grade. Just like an artist stacks blocks to build a sculpture, children stack tens to build number sense.

What your student will practice

• Recognize and identify multiples of 10 up to 100
• Add two multiples of 10 using tens language
• Apply adding-multiples-of-10 to solve word problems
• Use mental math strategies to add multiples of 10 fluently

Common mistakes to watch for

The most common error is when first graders add the digits without thinking about tens. For example, they might see 30 + 20 and say 5 instead of 50, treating it like 3 + 2. Another frequent mistake is misaligning the ones place and tens place when writing answers, writing 53 when they meant 50 + 3. You can spot these errors by asking your child to explain using the word "tens"—if they can't say "3 tens plus 2 tens equals 5 tens," they're likely working from memorization rather than understanding.