Number Detective Script Master Teaching Script
Make Ten, Solve Big! Intervention Series
W1: Small Steps
W2: Big Leaps
W3: Mastery
Week 1: Foundations
Sessions 1-2 Summary
Focus on "Make Ten" for addition and "Decompose to Ten" for subtraction within 20.
Session 3: Mixed Strategy Choice
Teacher: "Detectives, today is our first strategy showdown! We have problems that might need addition OR subtraction. You have to decide: Do I Make Ten or Decompose? How do we know which to use?" (Elicit: look for 'total', 'left', 'more', 'less')
Display Slide 6: Choose Your Strategy!
Teacher: "Work with your partner on the Strategy Sort Activity. If you see a plus sign, think 'Make Ten'. If you see a minus sign, think 'Decompose'!"
Week 2: Expanding Strategies
Session 1: Adding to Bigger Tens
Teacher: "Level Up! Today we solve problems up to 200. Look at 88 + 5. 88 is so close to 90! How much more does it need? Two! Where do we get that two? From the five! 88 + 2 is 90. 90 + 3 is 93."
Display Slide 8: Adding to the Next Ten
Session 2: Subtracting from Big Tens
Teacher: "Today we decompose from big numbers. 154 - 7. Let's stop at the friendly 150. 154 minus what equals 150? Four! Break 7 into 4 and 3. 150 - 3 is 147. Easy-peasy!"
Display Slide 10: Subtracting to the Friendly Ten
Sessions 3-5: Problem Solving Marathon
Teacher: "We are doing a three-day marathon. You'll work in teams to solve 'Mega Missions'. Use your manipulatives if the numbers feel too big. Remember the 'Ten-Stop'!"
Week 3: Application & Mastery
Session 1: Strategy Showcase
Teacher: "Welcome to the showcase! Each of you will pick one 'Big Mission' and explain to the group exactly how you solved it. Did you Make Ten or Decompose?"
Sessions 2 & 4: The Final Missions
Teacher: "Detectives, you've trained hard. Today is the day to show your skills on the Mission Quiz and Final Test. Read every story twice. Circle your numbers. Draw your Ten-Stop. You've got this!"
Slide 12: Review & Shine! (Leave visible during test)
Make Ten Lesson Plan Make Ten, Solve Big!
Comprehensive Intervention Lesson Plan
Target: Tier 2 Group
3 Students (SLD/ID Focus)
Why this matters
Understanding these strategies helps students develop strong number sense, mental math skills, and confidence in tackling more complex math problems, crucial for everyday situations.
Time & Approach
Duration: 3 Weeks (12 x 30-min sessions)
Approach: Direct instruction, guided practice, hands-on activities, and targeted review.
Learning Objective
Students will strategically solve mixed addition and subtraction word problems within 20 by making 10 or decomposing numbers to lead to 10, and extend these strategies to problems within 200.
Preparation (30 mins/week)
Review all generated lesson plans, slide decks, scripts, worksheets, and activities.
Prepare manipulatives: ten-frames, connecting cubes, or base-ten blocks.
Print session-specific materials (Warm Ups, Worksheets, Activities, Cool Downs).
Week 1: Foundations (Mixed within 20)
3 sessions x 30 minutes
Session 1: Making Ten for Addition
Warm-Up (5m): Activate number bonds to 10 knowledge.
Intro (10m): Use Slides 1-3 & Script to introduce making ten.
Guided (10m): Solve Session 1 Worksheet together.
Cool-Down (5m): Check for understanding.
Session 2: Decomposing for Subtraction
Warm-Up (5m): Focus on decomposing numbers.
Intro (10m): Use Slides 4-6 & Script for decomposing.
Guided (10m): Practice on Session 2 Worksheet.
Cool-Down (5m): Assess learning progress.
Session 3: Mixed Practice within 20
Warm-Up (5m): Mixed facts within 20.
Activity (20m): Game-like application of both strategies.
Cool-Down (5m): Daily reflection and wrap-up.
Week 2: Expanding Strategies (within 200)
5 sessions x 30 minutes
Session 1: Making Ten for Addition (to 200)
Slides 7-9 & Script. Focus on ones place making a ten.
Session 2: Decomposing for Subtraction (to 200)
Slides 10-12 & Script. Subtract to a friendly ten first.
Session 3-5: Deep Dive & Collaboration
Focus on mixed problems, partner work, and justifying strategy choices.
Week 3: Application and Assessment
4 sessions x 30 minutes
Session 1-2: Review & Quiz
Strategy showcase activity followed by the Master Quiz on Session 2.
Session 3-4: Preparation & Final Test
Target common misconceptions and administer Master Test on Session 4.
Make Ten Slides Presentation Make Ten,
Solve Big!
Your Problem-Solving Adventure Begins
Become a word problem detective!
Learn strategies to make math easier.
Solve problems within 20 and up to 200!
Strategy 1: Make Ten to Add!
The Steps:
Find the number closest to 10.
Break apart the other number.
Give some to the first number to make 10 .
Add what is left over!
8 + 5 = ?
8 needs 2
5 becomes 2 + 3
10 + 3 = 13
Word Problem Power!
Let's solve one together...
"Sarah has 7 apples. Tom gives her 5 more. How many apples does Sarah have now?"
Important Numbers
7 and 5
Operation
Addition (+)
Goal
Make a 10!
Strategy 2: Decompose to Subtract!
The Steps:
Start with your first number.
Break apart the number you are taking away.
Subtract to get to 10 first.
Subtract what's left over!
14 - 6 = ?
Get to 10: 14 - 4
6 is 4 and 2
10 - 2 = 8
Word Problem Whiz!
Let's solve this subtraction story...
"There are 13 birds on a branch. 5 birds fly away. How many birds are left?"
Subtracting to 10
Break apart the 5
Choose Your Strategy!
Addition Story?
Make Ten!
"How many in total?"
Subtraction Story?
Decompose!
"How many are left?"
Level Up!
Big Numbers,
Same Strategy!
The strategies we learned work for numbers up to 200 too. We just focus on the ones place !
38 + 5
Think: 38 + 2 = 40
Then: 40 + 3 = 43
54 - 6
Think: 54 - 4 = 50
Then: 50 - 2 = 48
Adding to the Next Ten
88 + 5 = ?
88
Needs 2
90
Add leftover 3
93
Master Answer Key Master Answer Key
Make Ten, Solve Big! Intervention Series
Teacher Resource
Weeks 1-3
Week 1
Small Steps (within 20)
Week 2
Big Leaps (within 200)
Week 3
Mastery & Test
Week 1: Foundations
Session 1 & 2 Worksheets
S1 (Addition): 8 + 5 = 13 (Stop: 10 + 3); 7 + 5 = 12 (Stop: 10 + 2); 9 + 4 = 13 (Stop: 10 + 3)S2 (Subtraction): 13 - 5 = 8 (Stop: 10 - 2); 12 - 7 = 5 (Stop: 10 - 5); 15 - 8 = 7 (Stop: 10 - 3)
Session 3 Worksheet
Problem 1 (8 + 7): Make Ten. 8 + 2 = 10, 10 + 5 = 15.Problem 2 (13 - 5): Decompose. 13 - 3 = 10, 10 - 2 = 8.Problem 3 (12 - 4): Decompose. 12 - 2 = 10, 10 - 2 = 8.
Week 2: Big Leaps
Session 1 & 2 (Addition & Subtraction to 200)
S1 Add (147 + 8): 147 + 3 = 150, 150 + 5 = 155.S1 Add (68 + 7): 68 + 2 = 70, 70 + 5 = 75.S2 Sub (122 - 6): 122 - 2 = 120, 120 - 4 = 116.S2 Sub (175 - 8): 175 - 5 = 170, 170 - 3 = 167.
Sessions 3-5 Mega Missions
Selected Answers:
156 + 7 = 163 (156 + 4 + 3)
114 - 6 = 108 (114 - 4 - 2)
88 + 9 = 97 (88 + 2 + 7)
Week 3: Mastery
Session 2 Mission Quiz
Q1 (9+6): Stop: 9+1=10. Result: 15.Q2 (14-5): Stop: 14-4=10. Result: 9.Q3 (138+7): 138+2=140. Result: 145.
Session 4 Master Test
Part 1: Choice: Q1: Make Ten (145). Q2: Decompose (117).Part 2: Steps: Q3 (156+7): Step 1: 156+4=160. Step 2: 160+3=163.Part 2: Steps: Q4 (114-8): Step 1: 114-4=110. Step 2: 110-4=106. Week 1 Session 1 Warm Up Warm Up: Session 1
W1 FOUNDATIONS
Detective Name
____________________
Number Bonds to 10
Complete the number bonds to make 10. Our "Make Ten" strategy starts with knowing these by heart!
4 +
= 10
1 +
= 10
Great warm up, Detective! You're ready for the mission.
Week 1 Session 2 Worksheet Mission: Ten-Stop
Subtraction Strategy: Decompose to 10
Detective Strategy: Stop at Ten!
To subtract a number, break it into two parts. First, subtract enough to get to 10 . Then, subtract the rest!
14 - 6 = ? → 14 - 4 - 2 → 10 - 2 = 8
1
"Agent Blue has 13 gadgets. He loses 5 gadgets on a mission. How many gadgets does he have left?"
Step 1: Break apart the 5
5 =
3
Step 2: Solve to 10
13 - 3 = 10
Final Answer
2
"There are 12 secret codes to crack. The team cracks 7 codes. How many are left?"
Show your work
The "Ten-Stop" Equation
12 -
-
=
3
"A safe has 15 gold bars. A thief takes 8 bars. How many bars are remaining?"
Result:
Week 1 Session 2 Activity Mission: Ten-Stop Sort
Session 2 Partner Activity: Sorting the Stops
Week 1: Session 2
How to Play
Cut out the "Break Apart" cards and the "Mission" cards. Match each subtraction mission to the correct way to break apart the second number to "Stop at 10". Then, solve the problem!
Missions
Target: 10
13 - 5 = ___
Target: 10
15 - 8 = ___
Target: 10
12 - 7 = ___
Break Apart Cards
"I need to take away 3 first..."
3
2
"I need to take away 5 first..."
5
3
"I need to take away 2 first..."
2
5
Teacher Tip: Encourage students to explain WHY they chose a specific "Break Apart" card. "Because 13 minus 3 gets me to the Ten-Stop!"
Week 1 Session 1 Worksheet Mission: Make Ten to Add
W1 SESSION 1 WORKSHEET
Detective Name
____________________
Read each word problem carefully. Use the "Make Ten" strategy to solve. Remember to break apart the smaller number to help the big number get to 10!
1
Mia has 8 red balloons. Her friend gives her 4 blue balloons. How many balloons does Mia have in total?
Show Your Strategy (Break apart & Make 10)
Answer:
Mia has ________ balloons.
2
There are 7 birds in a tree. 6 more birds fly to the tree. How many birds are in the tree now?
Show Your Strategy
Answer:
There are ________ birds.
3
Sam collected 9 seashells. He found 5 more on the beach. How many seashells does Sam have altogether?
Show Your Strategy
Answer:
Sam has ________ seashells.
Week 1 Session 1 Activity Make Ten Match-Up!
W1 SESSION 1 ACTIVITY
Partner Mission
Instructions:
Cut out the Problem Cards and Answer Cards .
Work with a partner to solve the addition problems using the Make Ten strategy.
Match each Problem Card to its correct Answer Card. Be ready to explain how you made a 10!
Problem Cards
CARD 1
8 + 6 = ?
CARD 2
7 + 8 = ?
CARD 3
9 + 4 = ?
CARD 4
5 + 9 = ?
Answer Cards
14
15
13
14
Note: Some answers appear twice! Double check your matching.
Week 1 Session 2 Cool Down Mission Log: Decompose
Week 1 | Session 2 | Cool Down
Think about the problem: 14 - 6 = ?
Explain how you use the "Ten-Stop" strategy to solve this. What number do you break apart first?
My Final Answer
Detective:
Date:
Week 1 Session 3 Warm Up Strategy Showdown
Mixed Strategy Warm Up
Week 1 | Session 3
Detective Name:
Date:
Your Mission: Solve these quick facts! Circle the strategy you used for each.
9 + 4 = ___
Make Ten Decompose
13 - 5 = ___
Make Ten Decompose
7 + 6 = ___
Make Ten Decompose
15 - 7 = ___
Make Ten Decompose
Detective Challenge
Solve this word problem using any strategy you like!
"There were 12 cookies. We ate 4 cookies. How many are left?"
Workspace:
Week 1 Session 1 Cool Down Cool Down: Session 1
W1 FOUNDATIONS
Mission Accomplished?
Show What You Know!
Explain in your own words how the "Make Ten" strategy helps you solve:
9 + 3 = ?
My Explanation:
How do you feel about "Make Ten" today?
😊
I got it!
😐
Almost there
😕
Need help
Week 1 Session 3 Activity Strategy Showdown Activity
Mixed Strategy Sorting & Solving
Week 1: Session 3
Game Rules
Detectives, work in pairs! Pick a mission card. First, decide if you need to Make Ten (Addition) or Decompose to Ten (Subtraction). Move your token to the correct strategy box, then solve!
Make Ten
"Getting to 10 is the key!"
Decompose
"Stop at 10 first!"
Mission A
"9 cats are eating. 5 more join them. How many now?"
Mission B
"There are 14 balls. 6 roll away. How many left?"
Mission C
"I have 8 stickers. Sam gives me 6. Total stickers?"
Mission D
"15 birds in a tree. 7 fly away. How many remain?"
Mission E
"Sarah has 7 pens. She buys 4 more. Total pens?"
Create Your Own!
Week 1 Session 2 Warm Up Warm Up: Session 2
W1 FOUNDATIONS
Detective Name
____________________
Decomposing Numbers
Break down the second number into two parts. This will help us subtract back to 10!
Take 3 from 7:
7 = 3 +
Take 5 from 9:
9 = 5 +
Take 2 from 8:
8 = 2 +
Take 4 from 6:
6 = 4 +
Why do we do this? If we have 13 and want to subtract to get to 10, we need to take away 3. By breaking numbers apart, we can easily find that 3!
Week 1 Session 3 Cool Down Reflection Mission Log: My Choice
Week 1 | Session 3 | Cool Down
Think about the problem: 8 + 7 = ?
Which strategy would you use to solve this? Why? Show your thinking below.
Make Ten
Decompose
My Final Answer
Detective:
Date:
Week 1 Session 3 Worksheet Strategy Search Strategy Search
Worksheet: Mixed Operations within 20
Week 1 | Session 3
Addition? Make Ten!
Subtraction? Decompose!
1
"There are 8 blue cars and 7 red cars. How many cars in all?"
Strategy:
The Ten-Stop
8 + ____ = 10 10 + ____ = ____
2
"I had 13 pencils. I gave 5 pencils to my friend. How many are left?"
Show Your Work
Final Count
3
"Mom baked 12 cupcakes. We ate 4 cupcakes. How many are remaining?"
Break apart the 4 and stop at 10!
Week 2 Session 5 Quiz Progress Check Mission Progress Check
Week 2: Big Leaps to 200
Agent Name
Date
Mission Briefing
Show your strategy for each problem! Use the "Ten-Stop" (friendly number) to solve. Your commander needs to see how you break apart the numbers to make math easier.
1
Mission: The Missing Supplies
Agent Sam found 87 mystery crates in the morning. Later, they found 8 more crates. How many crates did Sam find in total?
Equation
87 + 8 =
The Ten-Stop
How many to get to the next ten?
Evidence (Show Your Work)
2
Mission: Fuel Leak
The rocket had 142 gallons of fuel. It used 7 gallons to reach the moon. How much fuel is left?
Equation
142 - 7 =
The Ten-Stop
Back to the friendly ten!
Evidence (Show Your Work)
3
Mission: Satellite Signal
Base Camp received 165 signals on Monday and 9 signals on Tuesday. How many signals did they receive in all?
Equation
165 + 9 =
The Ten-Stop
Reach that next friendly ten!
Evidence (Show Your Work)
Challenge Mission: Strategy Report
Agent, why is it helpful to stop at a "friendly ten" (like 90 or 140) before you finish solving?
Approved Progress
Week 2 Session 1 Warm Up Big Leap Warm Up
Expanding Addition: Reaching the Next Ten
Week 2 | Session 1
Detective Hint:
Look at the ones place . How many more does it need to reach the next ten?
Example: 38 + 5. 38 needs 2 more to get to 40!
01
48 + 4 = ___
48 + 2 50 + 2
02
87 + 5 = ___
87 + 3 90 + 2
03
129 + 6 = ___
129 + 1 130 + 5
Show Your Big Leap
165 + 8 = ?
Week 2 Session 1 Worksheet Big Leap: Addition
Worksheet: Adding to the Next Ten (within 200)
Week 2 | Session 1
How to solve "Big Leaps"
Problem
137 + 5
Step 1: Get to 140
137 + 3 = 140
Step 2: Add leftovers
140 + 2 = 142
1
"A space station has 147 astronaut meals. A supply ship brings 8 more. How many meals are there now?"
Workspace
147 +
3
= 150
150 +
=
Final Mission Count
2
"Farmer John picked 68 pumpkins. His daughter picked 7 more. How many pumpkins do they have total?"
Show Your Leap
Total
3
"A library has 185 mystery books. They get 9 new books. How many mystery books are there now?"
Use the "Next Ten" Strategy
Week 2 Session 2 Warm Up Subtraction Big Leap: Subtraction
Expanding Subtraction: Stopping at the Friendly Ten
Week 2 | Session 2
Detective:
Date:
Detective Hint: The Friendly Ten
Subtract just enough to get to a number that ends in zero . Then subtract what's left!
Example: 154 - 7. Take 4 to get to 150. Then take 3 more!
01
72 - 5 = ___
72 - 2 70 - 3
02
143 - 6 = ___
143 - 3 140 - 3
03
195 - 8 = ___
195 - 5 190 - 3
Big Mission Subtraction
162 - 7 = ?
Week 2 Session 2 Worksheet Subtraction Big Leap: Subtraction
Worksheet: Subtracting to a Friendly Ten (within 200)
Week 2 | Session 2
How to solve "Big Leaps"
Problem
154 - 7
Step 1: Get to 150
154 - 4 = 150
Step 2: Subtract rest
150 - 3 = 147
1
"There were 122 stars visible in the sky. 6 stars were covered by clouds. How many can we still see?"
Workspace
122 -
2
= 120
120 -
=
Stars Remaining
2
"A baker had 93 muffins. He sold 5 muffins to a customer. How many muffins are left?"
Show Your Thinking
Muffins Left
3
"A train carried 175 passengers. At the next stop, 8 people got off. How many people are on the train now?"
Decompose to the Friendly Ten
Week 2 Session 1 Activity Galaxy Jump Galaxy Jump Activity
Session 4: Big Leap Addition Partner Game
Week 2 | Session 1
Mission Instructions
Astronauts, work with your flight partner! Take turns picking a "Jump Card". Use the Next Ten strategy to reach your destination. If you solve it correctly, you get to color in a star on your Galaxy Map!
Galaxy Map
Reach 6 stars to win the session!
Jump Cards
DESTINATION ALPHA
158 + 6 = ___
Jump 2
Jump 4
DESTINATION BETA
79 + 5 = ___
Jump 1
Jump 4
DESTINATION GAMMA
187 + 7 = ___
Jump 3
Jump 4
Navigator's Workspace (Show Your Thinking)
Week 2 Sessions 3-5 Mega Missions Worksheet Mega Missions
Mixed Strategy Marathon (within 200)
Week 2 | Sessions 3-5
Detective:
Date:
Mixed Operations Detected!
Read the story, circle your numbers, and pick your "Ten-Stop" strategy.
1
"A collection has 156 rare coins. The collector buys 7 more coins. How many coins are in the collection now?"
Strategy Used
Make Ten
Decompose
The Workspace
Result:
2
"There were 114 passengers on a ship. 6 passengers got off at the island. How many are left?"
Strategy Used
Make Ten
Decompose
The Workspace
Result:
3
"A forest has 88 pine trees. A team plants 9 new pine trees. Total trees?"
Final Count:
Week 2 Session 2 Cool Down Subtraction Mission Log: Big Ten-Stop
Week 2 | Session 2 | Cool Down
Think about the problem: 132 - 5 = ?
Explain how you use the "Friendly Ten" to solve this. What is your first stop?
Stop 1:
Stop 2:
My Final Answer
Detective:
Date:
Week 3 Session 1 Strategy Showcase Activity Strategy Showcase
Session 1: "Explain Your Brain" Activity
Week 3 | Session 1
The Presentation
Choose one Big Mission from your folder that you solved this week. Use the template below to prepare your explanation for the group. How did you get to the Ten-Stop?
The Mission Equation
Step 1: The First Stop
"I knew I needed to get to _______, so I _______..."
Step 2: The Final Leap
"Then I took the rest, which was _______, and added/subtracted it to get _______."
Mission Accomplished
Presenter Name: ________________________________
Week 3 Session 2 Mission Quiz Mission Quiz
Week 3 | Strategy Check-In
Master Detective Name:
Date:
Solve each mission. You MUST show your "Ten-Stop" step to earn full points!
Mission 1
"Agent Red has 9 cards. He finds 6 more. How many in total?"
The Ten-Stop
9 + 1 = 10
Final Answer
Mission 2
"There are 14 balloons. 5 pop. How many are left?"
The Ten-Stop
14 - 4 = 10
Final Answer
Mission 3
"A box holds 138 bricks. We add 7 more. How many now?"
Show Your Thinking
Total:
Week 3 Session 3 4 Review Warm Up Final Countdown
Mixed Strategy Review Warm Up
Week 3 | Sessions 3-4
Addition: Make Ten
-
Subtraction: Decompose
Quick-Fire Round: Solve using your best strategy.
156 + 6 =
122 - 7 =
88 + 9 =
195 - 6 =
Spot the Error
"Detective Sam solved 47 + 5 by thinking:
Detective:
Date:
Week 3 Session 4 Master Test Final Mission
Mastery Test
Make Ten, Solve Big! Intervention Series
Master Detective Name:
Mission Date:
Part 1: The Detective's Choice
Read each story. Circle the strategy you would use, then solve.
"Sarah has 137 gems. She finds 8 more. How many total gems?"
Make Ten
Decompose
"A team has 124 tools. They lose 7 tools. How many are left?"
Make Ten
Decompose
Part 2: The Ten-Stop Step
Show BOTH steps for each problem. Get to the Ten-Stop first!
156 + 7 = ?
Step 1: The Stop
Step 2: The Final Jump
Result: ________
114 - 8 = ?
Step 1: The Stop
Step 2: The Final Jump
Result: ________
Mission Accomplished!
What is one thing you learned about solving hard math problems?
