Help your students build fluency and flexible thinking with addition using this engaging Bridging to 10: Just Add 9 partner game! Designed to provide repeated practise with the bridging to 10 strategy, this fun and interactive activity encourages students to apply efficient mental strategies when adding 9 to a number. The simple game format supports mathematical reasoning, number sense, and confidence with mental calculation.

In this game, students play with a partner, each using a counter. They take turns rolling a dice and moving their counter along the outer path of the game board. After landing on a number, students use the bridging to 10 strategy to add 9 to the number. They then locate and cover the matching answer in the centre of the game board. The first player to cover 4 numbers in a row is the winner! This hands-on activity encourages strategic thinking and gives students plenty of opportunities to practise applying this important mental maths skill.

Bridging to 10: Just Add 9 is perfect for maths rotations, small group instruction, or as an independent partner game. The competitive element of racing to cover 4 in a row keeps students motivated, while the repeated practise helps them develop fluency with bridging to 10 when adding 9. The game also encourages rich mathematical discussion and peer learning as students explain and compare strategies during play.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Develop fluency with the bridging to 10 mental addition strategy
• ✅ Build confidence in adding 9 to a number using efficient strategies
• ✅ Strengthen number sense and understanding of number relationships
• ✅ Promote flexible thinking and strategic reasoning
• ✅ Foster engagement and collaboration through game-based learning

What’s Included:

• Bridging to 10: Just Add 9 game board
• Teacher notes with tips for classroom use and differentiation

Materials Needed:

• Printed and laminated game board
• Dice (one per pair of students)
• Counters (two per pair, one per player)
• Additional small counters or markers for covering numbers on the centre grid

How to Use:

1. Print and laminate the Bridging to 10: Just Add 9 game board.
2. Pair students and provide each pair with a game board, dice, and counters.
3. Students take turns rolling the dice and moving their counter along the outer path of the board.
4. After landing on a number, students use the bridging strategy to add 9 to their number.
5. They then locate and cover the matching answer in the centre of the game board with a marker or small counter.
6. The first player to cover 4 numbers in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) wins the game!

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use during maths rotations to reinforce the bridging to 10 strategy through engaging gameplay
• 💡 Incorporate into small group lessons to model and practise efficient addition strategies
• 💡 Offer as an independent partner game for early finishers or for targeted strategy practise
• 💡 Pair students of varying abilities to encourage peer learning and discussion
• 💡 Use as a warm-up activity before mental maths lessons focused on addition strategies

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Model how to apply the bridging to 10 strategy before introducing the game
• 💛 Laminate the game board for durability and repeated use
• 💛 Encourage students to verbalise their thinking and explain how they are adding 9 during play
• 💛 Use the game regularly to build fluency and automaticity with this useful mental maths strategy

Bridging to 10: Just Add 9 is a fun, flexible, and highly effective way to build fluency with this key addition strategy. The interactive game format keeps students engaged while providing repeated practise with bridging to 10 - helping your learners become more confident, flexible, and efficient with their mental maths skills!