Skip to content
PlayOwl

Mathematics · Grade 1

Subtraction Meanings and Strategies

Subtraction is more than taking away. Learners solve take-from stories, take-apart stories where one part is missing, and compare stories that ask how many more or fewer, all within 20. They learn to solve subtraction by thinking of a missing addend and choosing between counting back and counting up.

  • 3 lessons
  • About 60 minutes
  • Subtraction check: 8 questions
  • Ways to answer: fill in the blanks, choose an answer, match pairs, type a number, place on a number line and sort into groups
Try it now (no account) One of the five free starter courses Open in PlayOwl

What learners will discover

  • Solve take-from and take-apart story problems within 20 and write an equation for each.
  • Solve compare story problems within 20 that ask how many more or how many fewer.
  • Solve a subtraction by thinking of the missing addend (13 − 8 = ? as 8 + ? = 13), counting up or counting back.

Lessons

  1. Take from and take apart 5 steps3 practiceabout 20 min
  2. How many more? How many fewer? 5 steps3 practiceabout 20 min
  3. Think addition 6 steps3 practiceabout 20 min
  4. Subtraction check 8 questions at the end

Keep exploring

Games to practice with

  • Number-Line HopHelp the frog hop to the right number — from counting to negative fractions.
  • Paint by AnswersSolve each space, dip your brush and watch a picture come to life.
  • Number TrainAll aboard! Load exactly the right number of animals onto the train.

More 1st grade math

Guide for grown-ups