Make the trade with blocks
Give kids base ten blocks for 38 + 25. They put the ones together, see 13 cubes, and trade ten of them for a rod. Have them say "trade" out loud every time. After building it, the carried 1 makes total sense.
Why it works: kids understand an idea best when they touch it, then draw it, then write it, the order the U.S. Department of Education recommends for elementary math.
Try it withDouble Digit Addition With Regrouping Worksheet PackWorksheetsOpen it →



















