TEN FRIENDS SAVE THE DAY!
Add to 10
This is the third book in the SMILING DOG® EARLY-MATH series. It's Marty's favorite! (Just click the cover to buy it.) (For a READ ALOUD, click here!)
Math Concept: The pairs of numbers that add to 10 (1 + 9, 2 + 8, 3 + 7, 4 + 6, 5 + 5) are sometimes called "10 Friends." These "10 Friends" are a key math building block and are featured in this book. Our number system is a base-10 system, so it's important for children to quickly recognize when a group of 10 of something is formed. These "10 Friend" number pairs provide a springboard that helps children learn to add and subtract numbers larger than 10. Once a child understands our base-10 number system, knowing these 5 number facts plus the 20 pairs of numbers that add to 2 - 9 (the focus of CIRCUS FUN!) allows a child to add and subtract basically anything. Learning these is a very small investment that has a very big payoff! (Check out the CIRCUS FUN! page to explore how these 25 number pairs help a child not only add up to 10 but are also foundational to adding past 10.)
Because the order you add numbers together doesn't impact the answer, there are only five "10 Friend" pairs (1 + 9, 2 + 8, 3 + 7, 4 + 6, 5 + 5). Yet, given the small number of "10 Friends" and how important they are, it's surprising how many children don't learn them. TEN FRIENDS SAVE THE DAY! was designed to help children learn these key "10 Friend" addition facts and have fun doing it.
Recommendation: While there are many good counting books and math skill practice books, there aren't many books about "seeing" numbers and groups as made up of pairs of other numbers and groups. CIRCUS FUN and 10 FRIENDS SAVE THE DAY! focus on these key, foundational ideas and skills. I highly recommend buying them together. To understand how we add past 10, a child needs to know both what pairs of numbers add up to 2 – 9 as well as what pairs of numbers add to 10.
Story: The numbers 0 to 9 and Cousin 10 can't wait to ride the rollercoaster. But wait! There's a problem. You need to be "at least 10" to go on the ride. What will 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 do? Will the day be ruined, or is there a way they can all ride the roller coaster?
Activities: There are adding-to-10 practice activities woven throughout the story pages. In addition, children will enjoy coloring the black and white illustrations featuring the pairs of numbers that add to ten (1 + 9, 2 + 8, 3 + 7, 4 + 6, 5 + 5). Maybe even cut out or copy the pages and hang them up! Workbook pages in the back offer a chance to practice these and other important addition skills.
Remember: SMILING DOG® EARLY MATH books aren't just a story book, a coloring book, or a math workbook. Each SMILING DOG® EARLY MATH book combines all three! The story and pictures make the math fun and help children understand key math concepts. Coloring and workbook pages invite children to explore their understanding and practice newly acquired math skills. Enjoy!