Mental Math: Subtraction Fun!

Math Grades 1st Grade 7:06 Video
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Lesson Description

Learn how to subtract numbers in your head using mental math strategies! This lesson will help you subtract without using your fingers or drawing pictures.

Video Resource

Subtraction Lesson For Kids | Subtracting Numbers Mentally | Maths | Grade 1

KidsClassroom - Nursery Rhymes & Kids Songs

Duration: 7:06
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Subtraction as taking away
  • Counting forward as a subtraction strategy
  • Subtracting a number from itself results in zero
  • Subtracting zero from a number results in the same number

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to subtract numbers mentally within 10.
  • Students will be able to use the 'counting forward' strategy for subtraction.
  • Students will be able to identify that subtracting a number from itself equals zero.
  • Students will be able to identify that subtracting zero from a number results in that same number.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what they already know about subtraction. Explain that subtraction is taking away. Tell them today, they will learn to subtract in their heads like Star in the video!
  • Video Viewing (5 mins)
    Play the YouTube video: 'Subtraction Lesson For Kids | Subtracting Numbers Mentally | Maths | Grade 1'. Encourage students to watch closely and pay attention to how Star subtracts.
  • Discussion and Practice (10 mins)
    After the video, discuss the subtraction strategies shown. Focus on the 'counting forward' method. Model the examples used in the video again, emphasizing the mental process. Have students practice with similar problems: 6-2, 4-1, 9-3, etc.
  • Activity: Mental Math Challenge (10 mins)
    Present simple subtraction problems (within 10) and have students solve them mentally. Encourage them to use the 'counting forward' strategy. You can use flashcards or write problems on the board. Example problems: 7-1, 5-3, 8-4, 2-2, 3-0.
  • Wrap-up (5 mins)
    Review the key concepts: subtracting means taking away, counting forward is a helpful strategy, and what happens when you subtract a number from itself or subtract zero. Praise students for their efforts!

Interactive Exercises

  • Number Line Subtraction
    Use a number line (either a physical one or drawn on the board). Have students visualize 'jumping back' on the number line to represent subtraction. For example, for 6-2, start at 6 and jump back 2 spaces.
  • Story Problem Subtraction
    Create simple story problems that involve subtraction. For example: 'I have 5 apples and I eat 2. How many apples do I have left?' Encourage students to solve these mentally.

Discussion Questions

  • What does it mean to subtract?
  • How can you subtract numbers in your head without using your fingers?
  • What happens when you take away all of something?
  • What happens when you don't take anything away?

Skills Developed

  • Mental Math
  • Subtraction
  • Problem-solving
  • Number Sense

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What does it mean to subtract?

Correct Answer: To take away

Question 2:

If you have 5 candies and you eat 2, how many are left?

Correct Answer: 3

Question 3:

What is 4 take away 4?

Correct Answer: 0

Question 4:

What is 6 minus 0?

Correct Answer: 6

Question 5:

Which one shows taking away?

Correct Answer: -

Question 6:

What is 7 - 3?

Correct Answer: 4

Question 7:

What is 9 - 1?

Correct Answer: 8

Question 8:

What is 2 - 0?

Correct Answer: 2

Question 9:

If you have 3 cookies and give away 3, how many are left?

Correct Answer: 0

Question 10:

What is 5 - 2?

Correct Answer: 3

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

Subtract means to ______ away.

Correct Answer: take

Question 2:

5 - 5 = _____

Correct Answer: 0

Question 3:

8 - 0 = _____

Correct Answer: 8

Question 4:

If you count forward from 2 to 6, you count ______ numbers.

Correct Answer: 4

Question 5:

7 - 2 = ______

Correct Answer: 5

Question 6:

3 - 1 = ______

Correct Answer: 2

Question 7:

9 - 4 = ______

Correct Answer: 5

Question 8:

4 - 3 = ______

Correct Answer: 1

Question 9:

6 - 3 = ______

Correct Answer: 3

Question 10:

1 - 1 = ______

Correct Answer: 0

Educational Standards

CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.C.6:Add and subtract within 20, demonstrating fluency for addition and subtraction within 10. Use strategies such as counting on; making ten (e.g., 8 + 6 = 8 + 2 + 4 = 10 + 4 = 14); decomposing a number leading to a ten (e.g., 13 - 4 = 13 - 3 - 1 = 10 - 1 = 9); using the relationship between addition and subtraction (e.g., knowing that 8 + 4 = 12, one knows 12 - 8 = 4); and creating equivalent but easier or known sums (e.g., adding 6 + 7 by creating the known equivalent 6 + 6 + 1 = 12 + 1 = 13). CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.B.4:Understand subtraction as an unknown-addend problem. For example, subtract 10 - 8 by finding the number that makes 10 when added to 8. CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.A.1:Use addition and subtraction within 20 to solve word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing, with unknowns in all positions, e.g., by using objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.

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