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      Add two-digit numbers without crossing the tens boundary

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can add two-digit numbers without crossing the tens boundary.

      Key learning points

      1. Two-digit numbers can be added by using Base 10 equipment to combine the tens and the ones.
      2. Partitioning two-digit numbers can help when adding them.
      3. Either the tens or the ones can be added first, the sum will remain the same.
      4. Considering the number of tens when adding two-digit numbers can help estimate the sum.

      Keywords

      • Partition - To split a whole up into parts.

      Common misconception

      Children may transpose digits in the numbers, so add tens as ones and vice versa. They may also use inefficient counting strategies to count on in tens, then ones.

      Ensure that the numbers are partitioned into tens and ones, so their place value is clear and the link to known facts can be easily seen. Refer back to known facts using the stem sentence 'I know that..., so I know that ...'

      Teacher tip

      Ensure that children can confidently partition two-digit numbers into tens and ones before accessing the content of this lesson. As the concept is understood, children can be encouraged to solve the equations mentally, articulating thinking afterwards to ensure efficient methods are being used.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Use the Base 10 blocks shown to solve the equation

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 87

      Q2.
      Match the expressions which have the same value.

      Correct Answer:50 + 1 + 3 + 20,3 + 1 + 50 + 20

      3 + 1 + 50 + 20

      Correct Answer:20 + 2 + 30 + 4,2 + 30 + 4 + 20

      2 + 30 + 4 + 20

      Correct Answer:50 + 2 + 40 + 4,2 + 40 + 50 + 4

      2 + 40 + 50 + 4

      Q3.
      What is the missing whole in the bar model?

      An image in a quiz
      77
      68
      Correct answer: 86

      Q4.
      Tick the equation which is correct.

      30 + 2 + 60 + 1 = 57
      Correct answer: 3 + 5 + 30 + 40 = 78
      5 + 20 + 4 + 50 = 97

      Q5.
      What is the missing addend in the equation? 5 + ___+ 40 + 20 = 67

      Correct Answer: 2

      Q6.
      Which of the digit cards shown would complete the equation?

      An image in a quiz
      2 and 4
      Correct answer: 4 and 5
      5 and 6

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the expressions which will have the same value.

      Correct Answer:34 + 23,4 + 3 + 30 + 20

      4 + 3 + 30 + 20

      Correct Answer:23 + 32,30 + 2 + 20 + 3

      30 + 2 + 20 + 3

      Correct Answer:43 + 32,3 + 30 + 40 + 2

      3 + 30 + 40 + 2

      Q2.
      Which expression will have the same sum as 45 + 23?

      54 + 32
      Correct answer: 43 + 25
      52 + 43

      Q3.
      Which equation will have a sum in the nineties?

      Correct answer: 43 + 52 = ?
      23 + 46 = ?
      42 + 27 = ?

      Q4.
      Which equation will have a sum greater than 54 + 21 = ?

      45 + 12 = ?
      Correct answer: 54 + 41 = ?
      51 + 24 = ?

      Q5.
      52 + 34 = 50 + + 30 + 4

      Correct Answer: 2

      Q6.
      35 + 52 = 87, so 32 + 55 =

      Correct Answer: 87

      To help you plan your 2 maths lesson on: Add two-digit numbers without crossing the tens boundary, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...