Break Apart Strategy Worksheet

Are your students learning addition strategies and in need of additional practice with the break apart strategy? Teach Starter has developed a resource that is ready for you to use with your students in your math class today!

When using the break apart strategy for adding two-digit numbers, the numbers are broken apart into tens and ones. With this worksheet, students will use the circles and arrows as a guide to help break apart the numbers before adding. An extra blank template has been included in the download in case your students need extra practice. 

An answer key is included with your download to make grading fast and easy!

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding 

In addition to independent student work time, use this worksheet as an activity for:

• Guided math groups
• Lesson warm-up
• Lesson wrap-up
• Fast finishers
• Homework assignment
• Whole-class review (via smartboard)

If students need a bit of a challenge, encourage them to try the strategy when adding 3-digit numbers

For students needing support, consider using the editable Google version to modify the numbers they add together. You might also like to use different colored highlighters to highlight the path they will take for each number.

🖨️ Easily Download & Print

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or editable Google Slides version of this resource.

Because this resource includes an answer sheet, we recommend you print one copy of the entire file. Then, make photocopies of the blank worksheet for students to complete.

Turn this teaching resource into a sustainable activity by printing on cardstock and slipping it into a dry-erase sleeve. Students can record their answers with a whiteboard marker, then erase and reuse them.

Additionally, project the worksheet onto a screen and work through it as a class by having students record their answers in their notebooks.