Mental Math Class Addition for Beginners - Complements For 10

This class is meant to be an introduction to begin learning mental math strategies. In this one time class, students will become familiar with mental math and learn the strategy of finding the complements for the number 10 to mentally solve addition problems. This strategy is one of the most important to learn to begin to mentally add quickly.  We will discuss what mental math is and how it differs from the tradition method of solving equations. We will review the Associative and Commutative Properties and discuss why it is important to understand these properties and how they are useful, especially when solving addition problems mentally. 

Students will learn the complements for the number 10. We will practice identifying the complements together and students will be encouraged to begin to memorize these number pairs. Then, using this strategy of finding the complements for 10, we will work on solving 2-10 digit addition problems together. Students will have the opportunity to participate throughout the class as they take turns answering questions and help to solve addition problems. We will practice several equations to help students become familiar with using this new strategy to mentally add. We will also work toward becoming faster at solving addition problems mentally. My hope for this class is that students will enjoy learning and using the mental math strategy taught and that they will leave class with a practical new skill that they can immediately put into practice to solve addition problems. 

Students should have a basic understanding of addition.