Taking Away Fun: An Introduction to Subtraction!

Math Grades 1st Grade 3:38 Video
Print Lesson Plan Watch Video

Lesson Description

Learn the basics of subtraction by taking away objects. This lesson uses pictures to help you understand what it means to subtract!

Video Resource

Introduction to subtraction | Basic addition and subtraction | Early Math | Khan Academy

Khan Academy

Duration: 3:38
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Subtraction as 'taking away'
  • Visual representation of subtraction
  • The minus sign (-)

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to define subtraction as taking away objects from a group.
  • Students will be able to solve simple subtraction problems (within 10) using visual aids.
  • Students will be able to identify and understand the meaning of the minus sign.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what they already know about subtraction. Use simple language. For example: 'Has anyone ever given away some of their toys? That's kind of like subtraction!'
  • Video Viewing (7 mins)
    Play the Khan Academy video 'Introduction to subtraction | Basic addition and subtraction | Early Math | Khan Academy'. Encourage students to pay close attention to how the video uses pictures to show subtraction.
  • Guided Practice (10 mins)
    Work through the examples in the video again as a class. Pause the video at key points and ask students to explain what is happening. Use physical objects (like counters or blocks) to model the subtraction problems.
  • Independent Practice (10 mins)
    Provide students with worksheets containing simple subtraction problems (within 10). Encourage them to draw pictures to help them solve the problems.
  • Wrap-up (3 mins)
    Review the main concepts of the lesson. Ask students to share one thing they learned about subtraction.

Interactive Exercises

  • Object Subtraction
    Give each student a small bag of counters (e.g., 10). Call out subtraction problems (e.g., 'Start with 5 counters, take away 2'). Students physically remove the counters and state how many are left.
  • Drawing Subtraction Stories
    Present students with a subtraction problem (e.g., 6 - 3 = ?). Have them draw a picture representing the problem and its solution.

Discussion Questions

  • What does it mean to take something away?
  • How can drawing pictures help us solve subtraction problems?
  • Can you think of a time when you used subtraction in your everyday life?

Skills Developed

  • Subtraction skills
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Visual representation skills

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What does it mean to subtract?

Correct Answer: To take away

Question 2:

Which sign means 'take away'?

Correct Answer: -

Question 3:

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

Correct Answer: 3

Question 4:

What is 4 - 1?

Correct Answer: 3

Question 5:

If you have 6 toys and give 3 away, how many toys do you have left?

Correct Answer: 3

Question 6:

What is 3 - 2?

Correct Answer: 1

Question 7:

What is 5 - 3?

Correct Answer: 2

Question 8:

If you have 4 cookies and eat 4 of them, how many cookies do you have left?

Correct Answer: 0

Question 9:

What does the minus sign (-) tell us to do?

Correct Answer: Take Away

Question 10:

What is 2 - 1?

Correct Answer: 1

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

Subtraction means to ______ ______.

Correct Answer: take away

Question 2:

The sign for subtraction is ______.

Correct Answer: -

Question 3:

5 - 1 = ______

Correct Answer: 4

Question 4:

If you have 3 balls and you give 1 away, you have ______ balls left.

Correct Answer: 2

Question 5:

4 - 2 = ______

Correct Answer: 2

Question 6:

Taking away is also called ________.

Correct Answer: subtraction

Question 7:

If I have 6 crayons and lose 2, I have ______ crayons left.

Correct Answer: 4

Question 8:

2 - 0 = ______

Correct Answer: 2

Question 9:

When we subtract, the number gets ________.

Correct Answer: smaller

Question 10:

3 - 1 = _______

Correct Answer: 2

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.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.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 = _.

Teaching Materials

Download ready-to-use materials for this lesson:

Student Worksheet Classroom Slides Assessment Quiz Export to Google Docs
Add to Google Classroom

User Actions

Sign in to save this lesson plan to your favorites.

Sign In

Share This Lesson

Related Lesson Plans