Leaf Subtraction Stories: Writing Number Sentences

Math Grades 1st Grade 5:08 Video
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Lesson Description

Learn how to write subtraction number sentences using 'Some, Some Went Away' stories. We'll use leaves to help us understand taking away!

Video Resource

Grade 1: Math Lesson #33 Writing Subtraction Number Sentences

The Eagle's Nest - Our Online Classroom

Duration: 5:08
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Subtraction as 'taking away'
  • Writing subtraction number sentences
  • The minus sign (-) and equals sign (=)

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to write a subtraction number sentence for a 'Some, Some Went Away' story.
  • Students will be able to identify and use the minus (-) and equals (=) signs correctly.
  • Students will be able to solve simple subtraction problems within 10.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by discussing the changing seasons and how leaves fall from trees. Relate this to the idea of 'taking away' or subtraction. Introduce the concept of 'Some, Some Went Away' stories.
  • Video Viewing (7 mins)
    Watch the YouTube video: Grade 1: Math Lesson #33 Writing Subtraction Number Sentences. Pay attention to how the teacher uses leaves to represent subtraction problems.
  • Guided Practice (10 mins)
    Use leaves (real or paper cutouts) to create your own 'Some, Some Went Away' stories. Guide students in writing the corresponding number sentences on a whiteboard or paper. For example: Start with 5 leaves. Take away 2. Write '5 - 2 = 3'.
  • Independent Practice (10 mins)
    Provide students with picture cards showing different numbers of objects (e.g., apples, birds, flowers). Have them create their own 'Some, Some Went Away' stories using the pictures and write the number sentences.
  • Wrap-up (3 mins)
    Review the key concepts: subtraction, minus sign, equals sign, and writing number sentences. Ask students to share their 'Some, Some Went Away' stories and number sentences.

Interactive Exercises

  • Leaf Subtraction Game
    Use a pile of leaves. One student starts by taking a certain number. The next student takes some away. Together, they write the subtraction number sentence.
  • Drawing Subtraction Stories
    Students draw a picture representing a 'Some, Some Went Away' story, then write the corresponding number sentence below the picture.

Discussion Questions

  • What does it mean to subtract?
  • What does the minus sign (-) tell us to do?
  • What does the equals sign (=) tell us?
  • Can you think of a time when you have to take something away in real life?

Skills Developed

  • Subtraction
  • Number sentence writing
  • Problem-solving
  • Critical thinking

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which sign means 'take away'?

Correct Answer: -

Question 2:

What does the '=' sign mean?

Correct Answer: Is the same as

Question 3:

If you have 5 apples and you eat 2, how many do you have left?

Correct Answer: 5

Question 4:

Which number sentence shows 4 take away 1?

Correct Answer: 4 - 1 = 3

Question 5:

What is 6 - 3?

Correct Answer: 3

Question 6:

Which story matches the number sentence 7 - 2 = 5?

Correct Answer: I had 7 cookies and ate 2.

Question 7:

If you start with 8 and take away all 8, how many do you have?

Correct Answer: 0

Question 8:

Which is a 'Some, Some Went Away' story?

Correct Answer: Taking toys away

Question 9:

What is 9 - 4?

Correct Answer: 5

Question 10:

You had 3 balloons, and 1 popped. How many are left?

Correct Answer: 2

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The sign that means 'take away' is the ____ sign.

Correct Answer: minus

Question 2:

In the number sentence 6 - 2 = 4, the answer is ____.

Correct Answer: 4

Question 3:

When we take away, we are doing ____.

Correct Answer: subtraction

Question 4:

The '=' sign means 'is the _____ as'.

Correct Answer: same

Question 5:

If you have 4 cookies and eat 1, you have ____ cookies left.

Correct Answer: 3

Question 6:

8 - 5 = ____

Correct Answer: 3

Question 7:

A 'Some, Some Went Away' story is about ____ away.

Correct Answer: taking

Question 8:

5 - 0 = ____

Correct Answer: 5

Question 9:

The number sentence for '7 take away 3' is 7 ____ 3 = 4

Correct Answer: -

Question 10:

If all the leaves blow away, you have ____ leaves left.

Correct Answer: zero

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.7:Understand the meaning of the equal sign, and determine if equations involving addition and subtraction are true or false. For example, which of the following equations are true and which are false? 6 = 6, 7 = 8 - 1, 5 + 2 = 2 + 5, 4 + 1 = 5 + 2. 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).

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