Visualizing Addition by Making a Ten

Khan Academy

This educational video uses a visual strategy to teach single-digit addition, specifically focusing on the problem 8 + 7. By using concrete objects (tomatoes and blueberries) as manipulatives, the narrator demonstrates the "making a ten" strategy, showing how adding just enough to the first number to complete a group of ten simplifies the calculation. The video transitions from counting individual items to understanding place value, explaining how the number 15 is composed of one group of ten and five ones. The core themes explored include basic addition, regrouping, and the fundamental concept of place value in the base-10 number system. It visually breaks down two-digit numbers into tens and ones, helping students understand that a digit's position determines its value. The video bridges the gap between counting by ones and thinking in groups of ten, a critical milestone in early mathematical development. For educators, this video serves as an excellent tool for introducing or reinforcing the "making a ten" addition strategy and early place value concepts. It moves beyond rote memorization by providing a conceptual framework for why algorithms work. It can be used to support lessons on composing and decomposing numbers (11-19) and offers a clear visual model for students who struggle with abstract addition.