Make subtracting 2-digit numbers a fun activity your students can’t wait to get their hands on! 

Reinforce Your Subtracting 2-Digit Numbers Lesson

Through this activity, students will show they can subtract within 100 using strategies to find the difference between 2-digit numbers. 

Students will review each subtraction problem task card and solve for the difference, writing their answer in the corresponding space on the provided recording sheet. 

An answer key is included with this download so that students can self-check their recording sheets.  

Scaffolding + Extension Tips 

Support students who need help understanding the concepts by using a hundreds chart to help them subtract.

Challenge fast finishers who already understand the concept to write a word problem that goes with each card. 

Get our 10 Best Scaffolding Strategies here! 

More Uses For Our Subtracting 2-Digit Numbers Activity

We created this resource for your math center as an independent practice activity. We also suggest using it to reinforce your small group and full-class lessons in the following ways: 

🛴 Scoot Activity

Place the cards around the room in numerical order and give each student a recording sheet. Assign students or pairs to a starting point card. Give students an appropriate amount of time to solve for the difference and record their answer in the corresponding space on their sheet. On your cue (for example, say, “SCOOT”), the students will rotate to the next card. Continue in this manner until students return to their starting point. 

☀️ Warm-Up/Exit Activity

Either before or after your math lesson, ask students to select a task card from the deck. Have them write their card number (1-18) and their name in the top corner of a sticky note, and find the difference on their card. Use our simple sticky note printing template to make this assessment a snap!   

👯‍♀️ Mirror Game

This activity is a spin on the classic “Newlywed Game” and works best with small groups because you’ll need enough dry erase boards and markers for each student. Divide the students into 2 groups, and have them sit in 2 lines facing each other. Project a task card and give students 10 seconds to solve for the difference on their board. On your cue, the students turn their boards around so their partner can see their answers. If both students in a pair have the correct answer, they get 2 points. If one has the right answer, the team gets 1 point. 

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Print on cardstock for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access. 

Keep the task cards out of pockets or under desks: punch a hole in the corner of each to place them on a binder ring. 

To turn this teaching resource into a sustainable activity, print a few recording sheets on cardstock and slip them into dry-erase sleeves. Students can record their answers with a dry-erase marker, then erase and reuse.

Because this activity includes an answer sheet, we recommend first printing one copy of the entire file. Then, make photocopies of the blank worksheet for students to complete. 

Before You Download

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or Google Slides version of this resource. A recording sheet and answer key are also included with this download.

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This resource was created by Allie Kleijnjans, a teacher in Pennsylvania and Teach Starter Collaborator. 

Why stop there when we have even more activities and resources for subtraction success: 

teaching resource What's Missing? - Ten More, Ten Less Task Cards Find numbers ten more or ten less than a given two- or three-digit number with this set of 20 task cards. teaching resource Strategies for Subtraction - Anchor Charts Remind your students of the many subtraction strategies with a printable subtraction anchor chart display. teaching resource Subtraction with Regrouping - Printable Math Mat Explore subtraction with regrouping using a printable subtraction math mat.