Here are some subtraction games that you can play at home with your child. We will play all of these games in class. This is just a chance for you to reinforce your student's learning by playing at home. You can substitute any counters or cubes required to play the games with things like buttons or beans or anything else handy.
There are many strategies to find answers to subtraction
problems. Whatever your child needs is fine. However, while using
fingers is okay, we want students to move onto higher thinking
strategies. Here are some goals we are working toward in first grade
when subtracting:
When subtracting, your child will need a dice with larger numbers. It would be helpful to create a larger number dice to use when subtracting. This is easy to do. Simply take a blank dice and label it with the numbers 7-12. You could also do this with a normal dice. You just need to add stickers with the numbers 7-12. Also, a random block that you might have around your house would work.
- If a zero is being subtracted, the first (larger) number will not change.
- If a small number is being subtracted (a 1, 2, or 3), count backwards from the bigger number.
- If the difference between the numbers isn't too large (like 12-7), say the smaller number and count up to the bigger number.
- Relate known addition facts to subtraction facts. For example, if your child knows that 3+7=10, then 10-7 will equal 3.
When subtracting, your child will need a dice with larger numbers. It would be helpful to create a larger number dice to use when subtracting. This is easy to do. Simply take a blank dice and label it with the numbers 7-12. You could also do this with a normal dice. You just need to add stickers with the numbers 7-12. Also, a random block that you might have around your house would work.
If your child needs a number line to help with subtracting--here you go! A number line is a great strategy, but encourage your child to use more efficient strategies as the year progresses.
Roll, Draw, Subtract & Write:
Roll two dice (one regular dot dice and one with numbers 7-12). Draw the bigger number (simple circles would work). Then, subtract by crossing out the smaller number. Finally, write the subtraction equation for the problem that was drawn.
Roll two dice (one regular dot dice and one with numbers 7-12). Draw the bigger number (simple circles would work). Then, subtract by crossing out the smaller number. Finally, write the subtraction equation for the problem that was drawn.
Roll and Record Subtraction:
The game can be played with partners or without. Each partner takes turns rolling 2 dice (one regular dot dice and one with numbers 7-12). The subtract the smaller number from the bigger number and record the difference on the recording sheet. The game is over when one column is full (or one number “wins”).
The game can be played with partners or without. Each partner takes turns rolling 2 dice (one regular dot dice and one with numbers 7-12). The subtract the smaller number from the bigger number and record the difference on the recording sheet. The game is over when one column is full (or one number “wins”).
Five in a Row Subtraction:
This game can be played with partners or without. Each partner takes turns rolling 2 dice (one regular dot dice and one with numbers 7-12). They subtract the smaller number from the bigger number and cover the difference on the gameboard. If that number is already covered, they get to roll again. The game is over when all of the numbers in one row are covered (kind of like Bingo).
This game can be played with partners or without. Each partner takes turns rolling 2 dice (one regular dot dice and one with numbers 7-12). They subtract the smaller number from the bigger number and cover the difference on the gameboard. If that number is already covered, they get to roll again. The game is over when all of the numbers in one row are covered (kind of like Bingo).
Story Problems:
Create basic subtraction story problems. Have your child show/tell how they figure it out using our template. The top box is for the story problem. Underneath is a box for the number sentence or equation. Finally, the biggest box is to show work. We want students to use numbers, words and pictures to show work. We encourage any strategy necessary, but we want to label with numbers and explain step by step what was done.
Create basic subtraction story problems. Have your child show/tell how they figure it out using our template. The top box is for the story problem. Underneath is a box for the number sentence or equation. Finally, the biggest box is to show work. We want students to use numbers, words and pictures to show work. We encourage any strategy necessary, but we want to label with numbers and explain step by step what was done.
Balloon Pop Subtraction:
Play this game! Students will pop balloons to find the answer to subtraction problems.
Play this game! Students will pop balloons to find the answer to subtraction problems.