Subtraction Safari: Discovering Numbers With Addition

Contributor: Laquita Collins. Lesson ID: 14113

Embark on an exciting adventure with Geoffrey the Giraffe, where you'll use addition to crack fun subtraction puzzles!

30To1Hour
categories

Elementary

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

Lesson Plan - Get It!

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Hey there, young explorer. Geoffrey the Giraffe is lost and needs your help finding his way home.

To guide him, you'll need to solve some tricky puzzles using your amazing addition skills to subtract numbers.

Geoffrey the Giraffe

  • Are you ready to help Geoffrey?

Start with a riddle!

  • Can you help Geoffrey the Giraffe ?

First, solve this riddle.

  • I’m your trusty tool, here to lend a hand.
  • With me, you’ll conquer numbers, understand?
  • I help you add and take away, too.
  • With my help, there’s nothing you can’t do!
  • What am I?
  • Can you solve the riddle?

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Pack your backpack, grab your thinking cap, and embark on this exciting adventure!

Welcome to Geoffrey's Jungle Adventure!

Get ready for an exciting jungle safari with Geoffrey the Giraffe, where you'll use your amazing addition skills to help Geoffrey subtract numbers under 20.

  • Are you ready to jump in?

Apricot Adventure

Imagine you're exploring the jungle with Geoffrey.

Look! You find 6 apricots.

six apricots

You give 3 apricots to Geoffrey

  • How many apricots do you have left?

Here's a fun way to find out!

  1. Start with the 3 apricots you gave Geoffrey.
  • How many more apricots do you need to reach 6?
  1. Count from 3 to 6 like this: 4, 5, 6. Jump like Geoffrey every time you count!
  • How many jumps did you make?

That's right, 3 jumps!

So, if you had 6 apricots and gave away 3, you still have 3 apricots left.

3 apricots

Great job! You used your adding skills to help with subtracting.

  • How cool is that?

Check out this video to see how adding can help with subtracting.

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The video showed you a super cool trick!

When you want to subtract, you can find out how many more you need to reach the bigger number.

You do this every day when you share snacks or count toys. You can add to help you find out what’s missing. It’s just like solving a puzzle!

Leaf Sharing Adventure

As you continue your adventure with Geoffrey, you see his friend Zeke the Zebra!

Geoffrey and Zeke

Geoffrey needs your help to share some leaves with Zeke.

He has 12 leaves, and he gives 6 leaves to Zeke.

  • Can you help him find out how many leaves he has left?

Here's how to help Geoffrey.

  1. Start with the 6 leaves he gave to Zeke.
  • How many more leaves do you need to reach 12?
  1. Count from 6 to 12 like this: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. Jump like Geoffrey and Zeke every time you count!
  • How many jumps did you make?

That's right, 6 jumps!

So, after giving away 6 leaves, Geoffrey has 6 leaves left!

six leaves

You did it! You helped Geoffrey figure it out.

Now, It's Your Turn

  • Are you ready to give it a try?

Awesome!

Count the items in the pictures to see how many are left after some are given away.

You have 15 cookies. You give your friend 9 cookies.

6 cookies

  • How many cookies do you have left?

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You have 13 toys. You give your friend 5 toys.

8 toys

  • How many toys do you have left?

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Yay! You did it! You used addition to solve subtraction problems under 20.

Congratulations! You helped Geoffrey the Giraffe make it back home to his friends.

Geoffrey, Zeke, and friends

Now, travel to the Got it? section to put your new skills to the test!

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