A child who knows basic math facts can quickly pick up on two-digit addition with no regrouping. However, when the ones column adds up to 10 or more, it is time to teach children how to carry. A place value mat, cups of ten counters and a supply of singles serve as a visual to demonstrate the process of transferring the values from the ones column to the tens column. Alternately, you may use bundled groups of ten straws or craft sticks along with singles, pennies and dimes or base-ten blocks as counters. Give children a worksheet of two-digit equations or word problems and the counters and mat to solve them.
Math table games offer an alternative to worksheet practice. Design a game board with a various two-digit addition problem on each space. Another option is to roll four dice and arrange them into two double-digit numbers to add. Keep a running total and play to a goal score. Or draw four playing cards to form the two-digit numbers; the person with the highest running total when all the cards are drawn, wins.
Integrating math and movement focuses children's abundant energy into productive learning. On a basketball court or soccer field, call out double-digit addition problems. A correct answer earns the team or player three free throws or goal shots. For every goal or basket made, the team or player earns a letter; the first to complete the phrase, "I CAN ADD" wins the game. Alternatively, mark a large grid with sidewalk chalk for an outdoor game or masking tape for an indoor game. Label each box with a number from 20 to 198. Students take turns solving two-digit addition problems and then hopping to the answer on the board; the other players check the answer and if it is correct, the player gets a point. Or post a grid with numbers 10 to 99 on the wall. Toss two bean bags or small balls at the grid, noting the two numbers pegged. Players must add the two numbers together and call out the answer; if the answer is correct, the team earns that number of points.
Art, math and laughter make a winning combination to inspire children to practice math skills. Students solve two-digit addition problems and draw a creature according to the feature key. For example, the key can include three mouths or seven eyes as creature features for certain answers to the problem. Alternately, children can create a geometric drawing, using a key specifying that a certain range of answers means put a blue circle, green triangle or purple rectangle in the picture with the freedom to arrange the shapes as desired so each picture is one-of-a-kind. Students may also create their own abstract art by making a large looping scribble over the entire page and putting two digit addition problems in each open space; this key should indicate a particular color for each range of answers so the students solve the problems and color each space to create a colorful design.