Lesson 5

Subtract with Objects

Lesson Purpose

The purpose of this lesson is for students to represent the action of subtraction with objects.

Lesson Narrative

In previous lessons, students represented addition by putting 2 groups of objects together or adding more objects. In this lesson, students represent the action of subtraction with objects. Students take away a number of objects and determine the number of objects remaining. The language of “take away” and “subtract” is introduced by the teacher throughout the lesson. Students are not expected to produce this language in this lesson. The notation “_____ take away _____” is also introduced. Students need time to see and hear the teacher use this language before they can understand expressions “_____ - _____”, which are introduced in a later section.

  • Representation
  • MLR8

Learning Goals

Teacher Facing

  • Use objects to show the action of subtraction.

Student Facing

  • Let’s use counters to subtract.

Required Materials

Materials to Gather

Materials to Copy

  • Number Mat 1–5

Required Preparation

Activity 2:

  • Each group of 2 needs 1 connecting cube.

Activity 3:

  • Gather materials from: 
    • 5-Frames, Stages 1 and 2
    • Roll and Add, Stage 1
    • Math Libs, Stage 1
    • Match Mine, Stage 1

CCSS Standards

Addressing

Lesson Timeline

Warm-up 10 min
Activity 1 10 min
Activity 2 10 min
Activity 3 25 min
Lesson Synthesis 5 min
Cool-down 0 min

Teacher Reflection Questions

What evidence have students given that they understand the actions of addition and subtraction? What language do they use or associate with each operation?

Print Formatted Materials

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Additional Resources

Google Slides

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PowerPoint Slides

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