Practice Making Ten With a Memory Game!

Are you looking for a fun game that strengthens your students’ understanding of making ten? This memory-style game will encourage students to find two ten-frame cards that make 10. 

To play, shuffle the cards and spread them out face-down on the playing area. When it is a player’s turn, they choose any two cards to flip over. If the two cards are a match, the player will take the cards and keep them in their own separate pile. If the two cards are not a match, the player turns the cards back over in their original location. Continue to play until all matches have been found.

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding 

A team of dedicated, experienced educators created this resource to support your math lessons. 

In addition to individual student work time, use this memory game to enhance learning through guided math groups or math centers. 

If you have a mixture of above and below-level learners, check out these suggestions for keeping students on track with the concepts: 

🆘 Support Struggling Students

Help students who need support by giving them a ten-frame board along with counters to recreate the cards they have flipped over. 

➕ Challenge Fast Finishers

For students who need a bit of a challenge, encourage students to write the related subtraction problem for each of their matches at the end of the game.

More Ways to Play This Making 10 Game

There are more ways than 1 to use this game to engage your students! We’re confident your class will love these. 

Odd Man Out

Set up addition stations by placing three cards at desks throughout the room, making sure two cards add up to 10. Student pairs will rotate through each station and identify the cards that make 10, writing their answers on a separate sheet of paper.   

Show Me!

This game can be done as a whole-class review activity. Give each student a mini dry-erase board and a dry-erase marker. Project a number card on the board and ask students to write down the other number needed to make 10. When everyone has written down their answer, say, “Show Me.” Students will flip their boards, allowing you to easily see who needs extra support with this skill.

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

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

Print on cardstock for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access. 

This resource was created by Lauren Blankenship, a teacher in Florida and Teach Starter Collaborator.