Dino Dig Addition: Carry the Bones!
Topic: Adding two-digit numbers with regrouping (carrying) Age/Grade: 7 years old, 2nd grade Theme: Dinosaurs Sheets: 6 worksheets (one a day), plus a Bonus Fun Page and an Answer Key
For the Grown-Up
Your child can already add two-digit numbers when the ones stay at 9 or less. This set focuses on the tricky moment when the ones add up to 10 or more. It starts with why we trade 10 ones for 1 ten. Then it moves to the standard "carry the 1" method in small steps.
Learning Goals
By the end, your child can…
- Explain that 10 ones make 1 ten, and turn a number like 14 ones into 1 ten and 4 ones.
- Tell whether an addition problem needs carrying by checking the ones.
- Add two-digit numbers in columns and carry the 1 to the tens.
- Spot and fix the two most common carrying mistakes.
How to Use the Set
- Order: Do Sheets 1 to 6 in order, one per day. Save the Bonus Fun Page for a reward day or the weekend.
- Sheet 1: Making a ten
- Sheet 2: Tens and ones, step by step
- Sheet 3: Column addition with a carry box
- Sheet 4: Matching and sorting
- Sheet 5: Short story problems
- Sheet 6: Challenge
- Time: About 10–15 minutes per sheet. Stopping early is fine if frustration builds.
- Writing load: Most answers are single numbers, circles, or letters. Story problems are one or two short sentences. On Sheet 6, the "explain" item can be said out loud instead of written.
- Materials:
- Pencil and eraser
- Crayons for the stars
- Optional counters to bundle into groups of 10, such as dried beans, cereal pieces, or small blocks, plus a few small cups
Tips for Helping Without Giving Answers Away
- Always start with the ones. If he's stuck, ask, "What do the ones add up to? Is that more than 9?"
- Use the "bundle" words. Say "We have too many ones, so we bundle 10 of them into a ten." This works better than just "carry the 1."
- When he's stuck, go hands-on. Count out the ones with beans. Group 10 into a cup and ask, "How many cups? How many beans left over?"
- Point, don't fix. If an answer is wrong, say "Let's check this column together" instead of naming the mistake.
- Praise the process. Try "You remembered the carry box!" It builds confidence more than "You're smart."
Screen-Free Extension: Dino Egg Bundles
- Use dried beans as "dino eggs" and small cups as "nests." Each full nest holds exactly 10 eggs.
- Roll two dice, or pick two number cards, to make a two-digit number. Build it with nests and loose eggs.
- Make a second number and push both piles together.
- Whenever there are 10 or more loose eggs, he fills a new nest. Then count the nests and eggs to find the total.
Assumptions
- No curriculum was named. The set follows typical 2nd-grade goals for adding within 100 using place value.
- Sums stay at 99 or less, so carrying only happens from the ones into the tens.
- "Carrying" and "regrouping" mean the same thing here. The sheets use both words with simple explanations.
- The dinosaur facts are kept basic and well established, such as Triceratops having three horns.
- "He" is used in this guide because of your note. The worksheets themselves are gender-neutral.
(Page break)
Worksheet 1: Bundle the Bones!
Name: ____________ Date: ________
When you have 10 or more bones, bundle 10 together to make 1 ten!
Look at this example:
A dinosaur digger found 13 bones. 10 bones go in a bundle. That's 1 ten. 3 bones are left over. That's 3 ones. So 13 ones = 1 ten and 3 ones.
Part A: Bundle the bones. Fill in the blanks.
- 12 bones = ____ ten and ____ ones
- 15 bones = ____ ten and ____ ones
- 11 bones = ____ ten and ____ ones
- 17 bones = ____ ten and ____ ones
- 10 bones = ____ ten and ____ ones
Part B: Add the ones. Is it 10 or more? Circle your answer.
| # | Add | Answer | Circle one |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 + 3 = | ____ | Make a ten! / No ten |
| 7 | 7 + 5 = | ____ | Make a ten! / No ten |
| 8 | 8 + 6 = | ____ | Make a ten! / No ten |
| 9 | 2 + 4 = | ____ | Make a ten! / No ten |
Roar-some work! Color a star when you finish: ☆
(Page break)
Worksheet 2: Dino Egg Tens and Ones
Name: ____________ Date: ________
Add the ones first, bundle a ten if you can, then add the tens!
Look at this example: 27 + 15
Ones: 7 + 5 = 12, so that's 1 ten and 2 ones. Tens: 2 + 1 + 1 (the bundled ten) = 4 tens Answer: 4 tens and 2 ones = 42
Your turn!
1. 26 + 15 Ones: 6 + 5 = ____, so that's ____ ten and ____ ones Tens: 2 + 1 + ____ = ____ tens Answer: ____
2. 38 + 24 Ones: 8 + 4 = ____, so that's ____ ten and ____ ones Tens: 3 + 2 + ____ = ____ tens Answer: ____
3. 17 + 16 Ones: 7 + 6 = ____, so that's ____ ten and ____ ones Tens: 1 + 1 + ____ = ____ tens Answer: ____
4. 45 + 27 Ones: 5 + 7 = ____, so that's ____ ten and ____ ones Tens: 4 + 2 + ____ = ____ tens Answer: ____
5. 29 + 19 Ones: 9 + 9 = ____, so that's ____ ten and ____ ones Tens: 2 + 1 + ____ = ____ tens Answer: ____
6. 53 + 18 Ones: 3 + 8 = ____, so that's ____ ten and ____ ones Tens: 5 + 1 + ____ = ____ tens Answer: ____
Dino-mite job! Color a star when you finish: ☆
(Page break)
Worksheet 3: Carry the Egg to the Nest
Name: ____________ Date: ________
When the ones make 10 or more, carry the 1 up to the box on top of the tens!
Look at this example: 36 + 27
1 <- carry box
36
+ 27
----
63
Ones: 6 + 7 = 13. Write the 3. Carry the 1 to the box. Tens: 1 + 3 + 2 = 6. Write the 6. Answer: 63
Part A: Do you need to carry? Add the ones in your head, then circle YES or NO.
- 23 + 45 → YES / NO
- 47 + 36 → YES / NO
- 52 + 19 → YES / NO
- 61 + 28 → YES / NO
Part B: Solve. Use the carry box □.
5. 6.