Making a Tens Sandwich – Elementary Math

Purpose

To find the nearest ten(s) of a given two-digit number and/or three-digit number

Materials

None

Overview

Call out a number up to 85 and ask children to name the two tens that sandwich that number. When the children seem ready, ask them to name the nearest ten. For an added challenge, move to naming the nearest ten with numbers greater than 100. Keep practice fast-paced and fun!

About the sequence

Part 1 asks children to name the two tens that sandwich a number. Part 2 builds to naming the nearest ten, using numbers less than 100. The extension moves to naming the nearest ten with numbers between 100 and 200.

Part 1

I’m going to stay a number and you name the two tens that sandwich that number.

Examples:

34 (between 30 and 40)
81 (between 80 and 90)
69 (between 60 and 70)
16 (between 10 and 20)
55 (between 50 and 60)
27 (between 20 and 30)
52 (between 50 and 60)
76 (between 70 and 80)
38 (between 30 and 40)
83 (between 80 and 90)

If children need more practice or are enjoying their mastery, repeat. If children are ready to move on, go to Part 2.

Part 2

I’m going to stay a number and you name the nearest ten.

Examples:

34 (nearest ten is 30)
71 (nearest ten is 70)
59 (nearest ten is 60)
16 (nearest ten is 20)
54 (nearest ten is 50)
28 (nearest ten is 30)
12 (nearest ten is 10)
82 (nearest ten is 80)
38 (nearest ten is 40)
22 (nearest ten is 20)

If children need more practice, repeat. Or, when children seem excited for a new challenge, move to the extension.

Extension

I’m going to stay a number greater than 100 and you name the nearest ten.

Examples:

137 (nearest ten is 140)
146 (nearest ten is 150)
159 (nearest ten is 160)
106 (nearest ten is 110)
103 (nearest ten is 100)
128 (nearest ten is 130)
152 (nearest ten is 150)
182 (nearest ten is 180)
137 (nearest ten is 140)
196 (nearest ten is 200)