Subtraction Race

Contributor: Ashley Nail Murphy. Lesson ID: 14111

Ready for a race? It doesn't matter how you get to the finish line! With these subtraction strategies, you will always win.

30To1Hour
categories

Arithmetic, Elementary

subject
Math
learning style
Auditory, Kinesthetic, Visual
personality style
Lion, Otter, Beaver, Golden Retriever
Grade Level
Primary (K-2)
Lesson Type
Skill Sharpener

Lesson Plan - Get It!

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Imagine you and your friends are running a race! Everyone stands at the starting line. A parent yells, “Ready? Set. Go!”

As you dash toward the finish line, you notice something exciting.

One friend zooms by like a cheetah. Another waddles like a penguin. One friend hops like a frog, and another even crawls like a cat!

You all cross the finish line, but everyone does it in different ways!

girl running and crossing the finish line

Just like in this race, subtraction problems can be tackled in many different ways!

No matter how you do it, you'll always reach the same answer at the finish line!

There are so many different ways to subtract!

Solve the same subtraction problem in four different ways.

12 - 5 = ____

See how each method is different but still gets you the same answer!

Method 1: Draw a Picture

Start with the big number: 12.

Draw 12 objects, like stars!

12 hand drawn black and white stars

Now, subtract the smaller number. Cross out 5 stars in your picture.

12 hand drawn black and white stars with a red slash through 5 stars

Count how many stars are left. This is your answer!

12 - 5 = 7

Method 2: Use a Number Line

Draw a number line and mark the numbers 0 to 20.

Start at the big number: 12. Draw a dot at 12.

Hop backward the amount you are subtracting. You are subtracting 5, so make 5 hops backward.

 number line showing a blue dot at 12, red dot at 7, and red arched arrows showing the jump from each whole number starting at 12 and ending at 7

Your hops ended at 7!

12 - 5 = 7

Method 3: Use Ten

Break the number into easier pieces!

12 can be split into 10 and 2. You can use a ten frame to help you.

Show the number 12 in a ten frame. The ten frame is full, with 2 more cubes outside.

ten frame full of blue cubes and 2 extra cubes

Now, take away 5. First, take away 2 to make 10.

ten frame full of blue cubes and 2 extra cubes crossed out

You still need to subtract more. Take away 3 more from the ten frame.

ten frame full of blue cubes and 2 extra cubes crossed out and the bottom right 3 cubes in the table crossed out

Count how many cubes are left in the ten frame. There are 7 cubes left!

12 - 5 = 7

Method 4: Think Addition

Addition can help you solve subtraction!

Turn the subtraction problem into an addition problem.

12 - 5 = ____ becomes 5 + ____ = 12

  • What do you add to 5 to get 12?

5 + 7 = 12

Now, turn it back into a subtraction problem.

12 - 5 = 7

WooHoo!

You just solved a subtraction problem in different ways. Each method gives you the same answer.

Some ways may be faster. Other ways may be more fun — just like your race with your friends!

Run over to the Got It? section to practice!

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