Let's subtract: (Numbers one through ten)
Take eight crayons and remove two. Count up the remaining crayons. Write 8-2=6. (Say "Eight minus two equals six.")
Take six stones and remove five stones for a total of one stone left. Write 6-5=1.
Take seven jellybeans and remove five jellybeans. There will be two left. Write 7-5=2.
**If your child is too young to write the numbers, you write the numbers and say them out loud as you write so your child sees and hears them.**
SUBTRACTION
Do it like this:
Write the problem on a paper:
8-2=6
******** - ** = ****** (illustrate the problem)
When you've written the above, remove the two, by covering that part of your illustration with a paper or your finger, to show that it has gone away.
Say, "Eight".
Say, "Minus two".
Say, "Equals six".
SUBTRACTION
Do it like this:
Write the problem on a paper:
6-3=3
****** *** = *** (illustrate the problem)
When you've written the above, remove the three, by covering that part of your illustration with a paper or your finger, to show that it has gone away.
Say, "Six".
Say, "Minus three".
Say, "Equals three".
Continue writing different problems on your paper that have an answer of any number under ten.
Continue showing the illustrations of the problems.
Continue saying, "minus" and "equal" even if you have to explain the meanings each time you say the word.
Mix up your problems. Repeat often.
Play around with the numbers one through ten. Count out a certain number of items and remove a select number of items. Write the problem using the words "minus" and "equals".
