Learning Outcome

Uses real-world situations and concrete objects to model and solve subtraction of single digit numbers.

Objective

Children will be able to subtract single digit numbers using objects or manipulatives.

Prerequisites

Children are able to read and count numbers from 1 to 10.

Introduction

Materials required:

1. Color cubes
2. Color pencils
3. Chalk pieces
4. Flash cards from 1 to 10
5. Chart paper
6. Cookies
7. Cookie Jar
8. Basket
9. Play Dough
10. A tray containing everyday objects like paper clip, hair clip, chocolate, eraser, pen, pencil, sharpener, paint brush, crayons, etc.

Introduction of the goal:
The teacher writes and reads the day’s goal: I will be able to identify and read numbers from 1 to 10.

Revision of numbers: (1 to 10)

• Uses flashcards to check if children can identify numbers.
• Uses color cubes to verify understanding.
• Shows a flashcard and asks each child to collect the same number of cubes from the table.

Introduction to subtraction:

• Announces that they will learn a new math concept: subtraction.
• Explains that subtraction means taking away or removing a certain quantity from another.

Teaching subtraction with real objects:

• Calls a child and gives seven colored pencils.
• Asks the child to give three pencils to a friend.
• Asks how many are left and lets the child count and answer.
• Repeats this activity with other children until the concept is understood.

Reinforcement through finger counting:

• Asks a child to show 8 fingers.
• Asks the child to fold 3 fingers and count how many remain (answer: 5).

Introduces subtraction symbols:

• “–” (minus) for subtraction.
• “=” (equal to) for the result.
• Explains: 8 – 3 = 5.
• Repeats with all children for better understanding.

Introducing zero in subtraction:

• Gives a child 3 chalk pieces and asks them to give all 3 to a friend.
• When nothing is left, explains that 0 remains.
• Demonstrates another scenario where taking away 0 leaves the original amount.
• Reinforces with repeated activities.

The teacher can now reinforce the concept with the following activities.

LTM: Flashcards – Coming soon

LTM: Poster – Coming soon

Activity 1: Story – Count the Cookies

Objective: To introduce and reinforce the concept of subtraction.

Importance of the activity for children:

Helps in developing:

1. Vocabulary skills (listening to new words)
2. Communication skills (listening to story)
3. Emotional Intelligence skills (relating with characters in the story)
4. Logical reasoning skill (associate objects with numbers)
5. Emotional skills (sense of achievement on completion builds self-esteem)

Resources required:
1. Cookie jar
2. Cookies
3. Chalk piece

Setting for the activity:
The activity can be done indoors or outdoors depending on the space availability.

Type of activity: Group activity

Preparation of activity:
The teacher can ask the children to gather around and listen to the story.

Role of the teacher: Demonstrator and facilitator.

Procedure:

In a cupboard, there was a jar full of delicious cookies. There were 10 cookies. Yadu discovered the cookie jar. He could not resist the temptation, so he decided to take one from the jar. How many are left in the jar? Let’s try to find out. 10 cookies minus 1 cookie = 9 cookies. Yadu could not control his temptation. So he took another cookie from the jar. Now how many cookies are left? 9 cookies minus 1 cookie = 8 cookies. Continue the story this way and at the end, the jar will be empty and Yadu’s tummy will be full. [As the story unfolds, the teacher can demonstrate by removing cookies from cookie jar one after the other and write the same on the board. Example: 10 -1 =9; 9-1 =8…. 1-1 =0]

Observations:

The children will be able to relate each number to a cookie and learn the concept of subtraction.
The teacher will observe the children’s comprehension of the subtraction concept and their response.

Suggested Variations:

The teacher can ask the children to enact the story.

Conclusion:
The children will learn the concept of subtraction.

Video: Story – Count the cookies – Coming soon

ISL Video: Story – Count the cookies – Coming soon

Activity 2: Ayushi’s apples

Objective: 
To reinforce the concept of subtraction. 

Importance of the activity for children:

Helps in developing:

1. Cognitive skills (mentally recalls the numbers, minus and equal symbols, associates with real objects)
2. Art Skills(coloring and representing the problem as art)
3. Social skills (sharing and caring)
4. Emotional skills (sense of achievement on completion builds self-esteem)

Resources required:

1. Color pencils
2. Chart paper

Setting for the activity: 
The activity can be done indoors or outdoors depending on the space availability.

Type of activity: Group activity

Preparation of activity:
The teacher can ask the children to gather around and listen to the story.

Role of the teacher: Demonstrator and facilitator.

Procedure:

Ayushi had 8 apples, and she gave 3 apples to her friend. How many apples does she have with her now?
Encourage the children to act out the problem statement with real objects. Draw pictures to represent the problem. They can color the picture and display it on the art board.

Observation:

The children are able to visualise the story and understand subtraction.
The teacher will observe the children’s comprehension of the subtraction concept and their response.

Suggested Variation in the activity:
The teacher can ask the children to enact the story.

Conclusion:
The children will learn the concept of subtraction.

LTM: Picture cards – Coming soon

Activity 3: Snack Subtraction

Objective: 
To reinforce the concept of subtraction. 

Importance of the activity for children:

Helps in developing:

1. Cognitive skills (mentally recalls the numbers, minus and equal symbols, associates with real objects)
2. Fine Motor skills (holding)
3. Gross Motor Skills (picking up the cookie)
4. Emotional skills (sense of achievement on completion builds self-esteem)

Resources required:

1. Biscuits/ biscuit picture
2. Jar
3. Basket

Setting for the activity: 
The activity can be done indoors or outdoors depending on the space availability.

Type of activity: Individual activity

Preparation of activity:
The teacher can place a basket full of biscuits in front of the children.

Type of activity: Demonstrator and facilitator.

Procedure:

1. Call out the children one by one.
2. Ask the child to pick a certain number of biscuits from the basket. [say, 8]
3. Ask the child to count a certain number of biscuits from it and put it in a jar placed next to the basket. [say 3]
4. The child should count the remaining biscuits and tell aloud the number. [8 – 3 = 5]
5. The teacher can make the child understand that subtraction is taking away.
6. Once all children are done with the activity, the teacher can distribute the biscuits to everyone.

Observation:
The children will be able to relate each number to a cookie and learn the concept of subtraction.
The teacher will observe the children’s comprehension of the subtraction concept and their response.

Suggested Variation in the activity:
The teacher can use any easily available/healthy alternatives instead of biscuits.
The teacher can use biscuit cards (pictures) instead of real biscuits.

Conclusion:
The children will learn the concept of subtraction.

Activity 4: Play Dough Subtraction

Objective: 
To reinforce the concept of subtraction. 

Importance of the activity for children:

Helps in developing:

1. Cognitive skills (mentally recalls the numbers, minus and equal symbols, associates with real objects)
2. Fine Motor Skills (holding)
3. Gross Motor Skills (making small dough balls, squishing)
4. Art skills (sculpting)
5. Emotional skills (sense of achievement on completion builds self-esteem)

Resources required: 
Play Dough

Setting for the activity:
The activity can be done indoors or outdoors depending on the space availability.

Type of activity: Individual activity

Preparation of activity:
The teacher can provide each child with a block of play dough.

Role of the teacher: Demonstrator and facilitator.

Procedure:

1. Ask each child to make 10 dough balls.
2. Teacher shows a number card and asks the children to take away those many balls and keep them away.
3. Later, the teacher asks them how many balls are left.

Observation:
The teacher goes around and sees if they are able to find the answer.
The children learn the subtraction concept through objects [clay balls in this case].

Conclusion:
The children will learn the concept of subtraction.

Activity 5: Hide and Seek

Objective:
To reinforce the concept of subtraction. 

Importance of the activity for children:

Helps in developing:

1. Cognitive Skills (identifying the missing objects, concentration, recall)
2. Fine motor skills (picking objects with closed eyes through finger feeling)
3. Logical reasoning skills (finding the number of objects removed from left out objects in the tray)
4. Emotional skills (sense of achievement on completion builds self-esteem)

Resources required:
A tray containing everyday objects like paper clip, hair clip, chocolate, eraser, pen, pencil, sharpener, paint brush, crayons, etc.

Setting for the activity:
The activity can be done indoors or outdoors depending on the space availability.

Type of activity: Individual activity

Preparation of activity:
The teacher can show the tray to each child.

Role of the teacher: Demonstrator and facilitator.

Procedure:

1. Show each child the tray of everyday objects, and ask the child to carefully observe the objects present and count them.
2. Ask the child to close their eyes and remove a few objects.
3. Ask the child to count how many are left and consequently identify the number of objects removed.
4. Ask the child to try to recollect the objects removed as well.

Observation:
The children are able to memorize the objects and identify the objects removed by counting what is left.
The teacher will observe the recall ability and association skill of the children.

Conclusion:
The children will learn the concept of subtraction.

Home Activity

Count the number of rooms in the house and subtract the rooms that have chairs. Find out the remaining number of rooms.

Cross-Curricular Connection:

• In Physical Education class:
  • Keep ten balls.
  • Instruct children to pick a certain number of balls, say7, and instruct them to throw them in a basket kept at a distance.
  • Once thrown they will count how many targets they missed.
  • Finally they subtract to find how many they could throw in the basket. For example. Total balls = 7, target missed = 2. Number of balls thrown in the basket = 7 – 2 = 5.
  • Repeat with different number of balls for each child.

Check list for teacher:

Activity	Yes	No	Sometimes
Children can:
Count the numbers
Subtract one digit numbers
Understand the result of subtraction as – what is left
Focus on the activity
Complete the activity in the given time
Do the activity independently
Express verbally and through actions, expressions or gestures

Adaptations for addressing learner variability: Adaptations and strategies – Coming soon

Teacher Resource Document

Source and Attribution of images: All images used in the above Assets and Aids are originally created.

This digital material has been developed by the Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vahini Inclusive Education Project, a unit of Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, Prasanthi Nilayam, as a collaborative offering in the service of our nation.