K-5 friendly lesson
Try one idea, then jump into the activity.These lessons are designed to feel short, friendly, and easy to follow.

Use Models to Add 2-Digit Numbers (No Regrouping)

🧱 Let's stack the blocks! We can use picture models of Tens-Rods and Ones-Cubes to actually SEE the addition happening on the paper.

Lesson 1

Concept

When we first start stacking numbers on top of each other, seeing them as blocks makes it click in your brain perfectly. šŸŽÆ **The Block Stacking Rules:** **Example: 24 + 31 = ?** 1. **Draw the top number:** Draw 2 Tens-Rods (long lines) and 4 Ones-Cubes (little dots). | | . . . . 2. **Draw the bottom number UNDER it:** Draw 3 Tens-Rods and 1 Ones-Cube below the others. | | | . 3. **Count the Ones FIRST:** Look at the dots. You have 4 and 1. That's 5 ones! 4. **Count the Tens SECOND:** Look at the long lines. You have 2 and 3. That's 5 tens! 5. **The Answer:** 5 tens and 5 ones makes **55**!

Try it

Stack the blocks! **Instructions:** Look at the base-ten blocks (or draw them!) to find the answer. **Problem 1:** Top row: 3 Tens, 2 Ones Bottom row: 4 Tens, 5 Ones * Add the ones: 2 + 5 = ___ * Add the tens: 3 + 4 = ___ * Answer: ___ **Problem 2:** Top row: 5 Tens, 1 One Bottom row: 2 Tens, 8 Ones * Add the ones: ___ * Add the tens: ___ * Answer: ___ **Problem 3: 44 + 53 = ?** * Answer: ___ **Problem 4: 16 + 22 = ?** * Answer: ___