Subtraction Stories: Solving Word Problems!

Math Grades 1st Grade 6:55 Video
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Lesson Description

Learn to solve subtraction word problems with fun stories about animals and everyday situations. This lesson helps you understand how to find the 'missing number' when things are taken away!

Video Resource

Learn Grade 1 - Maths - Subtracting Word Problems

KidsClassroom - Nursery Rhymes & Kids Songs

Duration: 6:55
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Subtraction as 'taking away'
  • Identifying key information in word problems
  • Representing subtraction with numbers and symbols

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify subtraction situations in word problems.
  • Students will be able to solve subtraction word problems with numbers up to 10.
  • Students will be able to write a subtraction equation to represent a word problem.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what they already know about subtraction. What does it mean to subtract? Use real-world examples like sharing toys or eating cookies to illustrate the concept of 'taking away'.
  • Video Viewing (7 mins)
    Watch the "Learn Grade 1 - Maths - Subtracting Word Problems" video. Encourage students to pay attention to how the problems are solved and how the subtraction equations are written.
  • Guided Practice (10 mins)
    Work through a few example word problems together as a class. Emphasize identifying the important numbers and what the question is asking. Model how to write the subtraction equation (e.g., 5 - 2 = ?).
  • Independent Practice (10 mins)
    Provide students with a worksheet or small group activity containing subtraction word problems. Encourage them to use drawings or manipulatives (like counters) to help them solve the problems.
  • Wrap-up (3 mins)
    Review the key concepts of the lesson. Ask students to share one thing they learned about solving subtraction word problems.

Interactive Exercises

  • Story Time Subtraction
    Create a class 'story' together. Start with a number (e.g., 'There were 7 birds on a tree'). Then, ask students to contribute to the story by 'taking away' some of the birds (e.g., 'Then 3 birds flew away'). Write the subtraction equation on the board (7 - 3 = 4).
  • Subtraction Station
    Set up a 'subtraction station' with manipulatives like blocks, counters, or even small toys. Provide word problem cards and have students use the manipulatives to act out and solve the problems.

Discussion Questions

  • What are some words that tell us we need to subtract?
  • How can drawing a picture help us solve a subtraction word problem?
  • Can you make up your own subtraction word problem?

Skills Developed

  • Problem-solving
  • Critical thinking
  • Mathematical reasoning

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Lily had 6 balloons. She gave 2 to her friend. How many balloons does Lily have now?

Correct Answer: 4

Question 2:

There were 8 cookies on a plate. Tom ate 3 cookies. How many cookies are left?

Correct Answer: 5

Question 3:

Sam had 5 cars. He lost 1 car. How many cars does Sam have now?

Correct Answer: 4

Question 4:

There are 7 ducks in a pond. 4 ducks flew away. How many ducks are still in the pond?

Correct Answer: 3

Question 5:

Mia had 9 crayons. She broke 2 crayons. How many crayons are not broken?

Correct Answer: 7

Question 6:

Ben saw 4 birds in a tree. Then, 1 bird flew away. How many birds are left in the tree?

Correct Answer: 3

Question 7:

Ava had 10 stickers. She gave 5 stickers to her sister. How many stickers does Ava have now?

Correct Answer: 5

Question 8:

There were 6 fish in a tank. 2 fish swam away to hide. How many fish can you see?

Correct Answer: 4

Question 9:

Max had 7 toy cars. He gave 3 cars to his little brother. How many cars does Max have now?

Correct Answer: 4

Question 10:

Sarah had 8 apples. She ate 4 apples. How many apples does Sarah have left?

Correct Answer: 4

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

Tom had 5 toy trucks. He gave 2 to his friend. Tom has _____ trucks now.

Correct Answer: 3

Question 2:

There were 9 birds sitting on a fence. Then, 3 birds flew away. There are _____ birds left.

Correct Answer: 6

Question 3:

Lisa had 7 crayons. She lost 1 crayon. Lisa has _____ crayons now.

Correct Answer: 6

Question 4:

There were 4 butterflies on a flower. 2 butterflies flew away. Now, there are _____ butterflies on the flower.

Correct Answer: 2

Question 5:

John had 6 grapes. He ate 3 grapes. John has _____ grapes left.

Correct Answer: 3

Question 6:

There are 8 slices of pizza. You eat 2 slices. There are _____ slices left.

Correct Answer: 6

Question 7:

Mary has 10 candies. She gives 4 to her friend. Mary has _____ candies now.

Correct Answer: 6

Question 8:

There were 5 ants on a log. 1 ant walked away. Now there are _____ ants.

Correct Answer: 4

Question 9:

You have 9 pencils. You give 5 pencils to your classmate. You have _____ pencils left.

Correct Answer: 4

Question 10:

There were 7 ladybugs on a leaf. 4 ladybugs flew away. There are _____ ladybugs still on the leaf.

Correct Answer: 3

Educational Standards

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. CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.D.8:Determine the unknown whole number in an addition or subtraction equation relating three whole numbers. For example, determine the unknown number that makes the equation true in each of the equations 8 + ? = 11, 5 = _ - 3, 6 + 6 = _. 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).

Teaching Materials

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