Subtraction Teaching Resources
Browse subtraction worksheets, games and more teacher-created activities for your lesson plans!
Aligned with both the TEKS and Common Core curriculums, each resource in this subtraction collection has been carefully reviewed and curated by our expert teachers to ensure it's ready to use with your students. Browse printables and digital activities for teaching students how to take away, use subtraction to compare quantities, subtract two-digit numbers with regrouping, solve word problems and so much more!
Whether you're teaching your 1st grade class to add and subtract within 20 or your 3rd graders how to fluently subtract within 1,000, or you're explaining to a 6th grade group how to add or subtract integers on a number line, there are plenty of options for your planning.
New to teaching subtraction, or just looking for new ways to engage your students? Read on for a primer from our teacher team, including a kid-friendly definition to explain what it means to subtract, plus a look at the subtraction sign and more math vocabulary for teaching kids this whole number operation.
What Is Subtraction? A Kid-Friendly Definition
If you're teaching in the early grades and introducing subtraction for the very first time, you may need a definition that can help you explain what it means to subtract numbers.
Subtraction is a math operation we can use when we have a number and we want to find out what's left when we take away another number.
For example, let's say you have 5 toys, and your friend takes 2 of them home. How can you determine how many toys are left? You can use subtraction!
If you subtract 2 from the number 5, you are left with 3.
What Is the Subtraction Sign Called?
There are several math symbols and signs that help us understand the relationships between numbers in our math problems. Students should learn early on to identify the subtraction symbol, which is called the minus sign.
The minus sign (-) looks like a short line.
When it is placed between two numbers, it lets us know that we should subtract the number on the right from the number on the left.
For example, look at the subtraction problem below:
- 6-3
In this problem, the minus sign tells us that you will need to subtract — or take away — 3 from the number 6.
What Is the Answer to a Subtraction Problem Called?
Teaching math in elementary or middle school involves teaching a significant amount of math vocabulary!
When it comes to subtraction, one word kids need to learn early on is "difference" — this is the word we use for the answer to a subtraction problem.
What Are the Numbers Called in Subtraction?
Words like subtraction, difference and minus are commonly used in the classroom, but what about the numbers in a subtraction problem?
These are not typically taught to students, but keeping the names of the numbers in a subtraction problem in your back pocket can be helpful anyway!
- Minuend — This is the number on the left in a subtraction problem. It is the number that you are "taking away" from.
- Subtrahend — This is the number on the right in a subtraction problem. It is the number that you are "taking away."
Teaching Kids How to Subtract — 3 Fun Ideas From Our Teacher Team
Looking for some tips on teaching subtraction? This collection of resources is full of ideas from our expert math teachers, but we didn't stop there.
Here are some tips that may help you teach kids how to subtract and build fluency!
1. Focus on Missing Addends
Missing addend addition is sometimes easier for kids to grasp when tackling subtraction problems.
For example, rather than 17 - 8, gear your students to think, "8 plus what equals 17?"
2. Teach Regrouping With Base-10 Blocks
Students need to understand they aren't changing the value of the minuend in the subtraction problem, just what it looks like. For example, 42 is still 42, even if it's represented as 30 + 12 instead of 40 + 2.
This is where it helps to teach the concept of regrouping using Base-10 blocks.
3. Use Subtraction Rhymes
Using fun rhymes as mnemonics in subtraction can help your student remember the rules. Here's one of our favorites for teaching students subtraction with regrouping:
More on top?
No need to stop!
More on the floor?
Go next door.
Add 10 more.
If the numbers are the same, then 0 is the name!
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Addition and Subtraction with Decimals – Task Cards
Practice adding and subtracting multi-digit decimals with this set of 16 task cards.
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Number Chart – 1-20
A bright number chart representing numbers 1-20.
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Color By Number - Mental Math Practice
A set of 5 color by number sheets that can be used to practice mental math.
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Classroom Spinner Template - Math Equations
A classroom spinner template focusing on math equations using addition and subtraction.
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Number Talks - Balancing Equations Task Cards
Build number sense skills with this set of 40 task cards.
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Target Number Math Warm-up Activity
A great math warm-up activity where students brainstorm number sentences that equal a 'target number'.
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MLK Day Hidden Message - Lower Grades
Practice addition and subtraction facts within 20 to uncover a meaningful quote.
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2-Digit Subtraction by Regrouping - Poster
Break down the steps to use regrouping to find a solution to a 2-digit subtraction problem with a printable subtraction anchor chart.
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Ladybug Addition and Subtraction Activity
A fun and simple adding and subtracting activity.
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Strategies for Subtraction - Anchor Charts
Remind your students of the many subtraction strategies with a printable subtraction anchor chart display.
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Equation Tails Active Learning
A whole class active game that encourages learning through a physical setting.
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Dodging Equations Active Learning
A whole class active game that encourages practicing math facts in a physical setting.
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Math Activity Ideas for Parents - Addition and Subtraction
An information sheet for parents or carers to use when assisting children with addition and subtraction at home.
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Operation Domination Game
A fun game using addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
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Musical Equations Active Learning
A whole class active game that encourages learning through a physical setting.
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Jump Strategy Subtraction Game
Learn how to use the jump strategy to solve subtraction problems with a fun subtraction game.
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Online Dice Roller
Roll out a free online dice roller, designed for classrooms, with the ability to roll as many as 6 different types of dice at a time. This teacher-created resource is the perfect addition to your next math lesson plan!
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Math Resource Pack for Parents - Addition and Subtraction
An extensive collection of resources for parents to help Grade 2 and Grade 3 children with addition and subtraction.
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Number Talks Teaching Resource Pack - Grade 2
A collection of number talks teaching resources that support meaningful and highly engaging conversations in the mathematics classroom.
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Number Talks Teaching Resource Pack - Grade 1
A collection of number talks teaching resources that support meaningful and highly engaging conversations in the mathematics classroom.
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Number Facts Board Games
A collection of board games to reinforce your students' knowledge of addition and subtraction fact strategies.
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6 Subtraction Strategies to Help Students Get Comfortable With Mental Math
Teach these subtraction strategies to young math students to help them on the path to math fluency.