​My kids LOVE the game Hungry Hippos. It is one of our favorite games to play when it's 'game time.' Since I like to look for ways to turn any game into an opportunity for learning, I came up with a simple 'upgrade' to include some math to this fast and fun game. The math focus in this 'upgraded' activity will be addition with multiple addends. This activity is ideal for math practice at home, math centers, or a game corner if you have in the classroom. 

This week I'd like to share an anchor chart I made to teach addition with regrouping. I found the use of place value blocks helpful in explaining the concept of carrying the ten over. 

The different colors used are intended to help highlight and show the steps throughout the process.  

Step 1 - Look at the ones first! 
Count the one blocks to find the total. Draw them.
In the chart example, there are 15 one blocks. 

Step 2- Explain that we can't put 15 in the ONES position, so if we have 10 ones, we must regroup them and turn them into a ten block. Demonstrate that this new ten block formed from the ones is CARRIED over to the top of the other ten blocks. In the numerical form, we represent this by adding a '1' to the top of the column. 

Step 3 - Then add the ten blocks together (including the carried over ten block). In the chart example we have 10 + 50 + 30  90.  Or 9 ten blocks which equals 90. Take the 9 (in the tens position) to sit in the TENS position of the answer. 

So, the answer for the chart example is 95! . 

If you are looking for a fun way to get lots of addition practice in, you may like to try this fun addition math mystery 'Case of The Angry Adder'
Available in different difficulty levels. Click on a grade cover to find out the addition skills covered in each.