Learning Outcome

• Recognizes the “-“symbol for subtraction operations.
• Understands the concept of 0 as a number by reducing (backward counting) objects in a set (e.g., backward counting of 3 beads, after 1 what is left?).

Objective

Children will be able to subtract single digit numbers using pictures.

Prerequisites

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

Introduction: How many are left?

Materials required:

1. Flash cards showing numbers from 1 to 10.
2. Blocks
3. Pictures of 5 bears
4. Picture of 5 birds on a wire

The teacher begins the class by writing the goal and reading it for the children. The goal for today is: I will be able to write a subtraction sentence and find the answer.

The teacher can start the class by revising numbers from 1 to 10. She can use flashcards from 1 to 10, and by showing them to children, check whether they can identify the numbers. She can also use blocks to verify whether the children understand the numbers properly. She can show the flashcard and ask the children, one by one, to collect the same number of blocks from the table.

The teacher can use pictures to demonstrate subtraction. The teacher can draw a basket with 6 fruits. Then, draw 2 fruits being taken away. Ask how many fruits are left? The children can count and give the answer as 4. This can be represented as 6 – 2 = 4. The teacher should explain that “ – “ is the symbol for subtraction and is called “minus”. The teacher can use another example to reinforce subtraction. The teacher can show pictures of 5 bears. Then she should explain that 1 bear ran away to the forest. She should hide the picture of one bear. The teacher can ask the children how many are left. The children can count and give the answer as 4. She can give another example to introduce 0. The teacher can show a picture of 5 birds sitting on a wire. She should explain that all 5 flew away. She can now ask how many are left. The children can answer that no birds are left, that is, 0.

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

LTM: Number cards 1 to 10 – Coming soon

LTM: Picture cards – Coming soon

Activity 1: Story Time – Benny and his Balloons

Objective: To 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 the story and responding to questions)
3. Cognitive skills (mentally recalls the numbers, minus and equal symbols, associates with pictures)
4. Logical reasoning skills (finding the number of balloons removed from left out objects)
5. Emotional skills (sense of achievement on completion builds self-esteem)

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:

Story:

Benny has 10 balloons.
Benny gives 2 balloons to his friend.

Subtraction sentence
10 – 2 = 8

Benny loses 2 balloons in the park
Subtraction sentence: 8 – 2 = 6

Benny gives 4 balloons to his sister.
Subtraction sentence: 6 – 4 = 2

Benny pops 2 balloons.
Now Benny has no balloons left with him.
Subtraction sentence: 2 – 2 = 0

Observations:

The children can understand the story and count along with the teacher. They can also give answers to the subtraction sentence.

Suggested Variations:

The teacher can ask the students to enact the story.

Conclusion:
The children will learn the concept of subtraction.

Video: Story – Benny and his Balloons – Coming soon

ISL Video: Story – Benny and his Balloons – Coming soon

LTM: Benny and his Balloons – Picture cards – Coming soon

Activity 2: Pick the Apples

Objective: 
To reinforce the concept of subtraction. 

Importance of the activity for children:

Helps in developing:

1. Fine Motor Skills (picking the picture, holding)
2. Gross motor skills (walking up to the table, concentration, hand eye coordination)
3. Cognitive Skills (mentally recalls the numbers, minus and equal symbols, associates with pictures)
4. Logical reasoning skills (finding the number of apples left after removing picture cards)
5. Emotional skills (sense of achievement on completion builds self-esteem)

Resources required:

1. 10 Pictures of Apple
2. A small 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 the basket in front of the children.

Role of the teacher: Demonstrator and facilitator

Procedure:

1. The teacher can place 10 apple pictures in a basket.
2. The teacher can call a child and ask the child to pick a certain number of apple pictures from the basket.
3. Now, the teacher can ask how many apple pictures are left in the basket.
4. The teacher can continue this activity with all the children.

Observation:

The students are able to pick up the pictures of apple and give the correct answer.

Conclusion:
The children will learn the concept of subtraction.

Video: Pick the apples – Coming soon

ISL Video: Pick the apples – Coming soon

LTM: Pick the apples – Picture cards – Coming soon

Activity 3: Superhero Rescue

Objective: 
To reinforce the concept of subtraction.

Importance of the activity for children:

Helps in developing:

1. Cognitive skills (planning hiding spots, associating missing persons with numbers to arrive at left out children)
2. Spatial awareness (assessing the places around to find appropriate hiding places)
3. Gross Motor Skills (running around to find the hiding children, crouching to hide)
4. Logical reasoning skills (finding the number of children left after removing the lost children)
5. Social skills (taking turns, waiting patiently and interacting with others)
6. Emotional skills (sense of achievement on completion builds self-esteem)

Resources required:
Superhero Cape

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.

Type of activity: Demonstrator and facilitator

Procedure:

1. Ask 10 students to stand in front of the class.
2. Now, say that 3 of the ten lost their way and ask the 3 children to hide.
3. Ask the other children (apart from the 10 selected) to count the remaining children.
4. They can give the answer as 7.
5. Now, ask the children, how many lost their way.
6. Once they give the correct answer, one of them should rescue the hidden children. Give the cape to one of the children and ask the child to find the children who are hiding.
7. Continue the activity till all get a chance to hide as well as rescue.

Observation:
The students will be able to subtract and find the number of children hiding. The children will also be able to rescue the children hiding and enjoy the fun game.

Conclusion:
The children will learn the concept of subtraction.

Assessment:
The teacher can give the practice worksheet to the children that can be followed by assessment worksheet.

Worksheet: Practice worksheet – How many are left? – Coming soon

Worksheet: Practice worksheet – How many are left? (Enlarged) – Coming soon

Worksheet: Assessment worksheet – How many are left? – Coming soon

Worksheet: Assessment worksheet – How many are left? (Enlarged) – Coming soon

Check list for teacher:

Activity	Yes	No	Sometimes
Children can:
Count the numbers up to 10
Understand the concept of subtraction
Do single digit subtraction by observing pictures
Focus on the activity
Complete the activity in the given time
Do the activity independently
Express verbally and through actions, expressions or gestures

Home Activity

Objective:
To reinforce the concept of ‘Subtraction’ through an online fun activity.

Fun Activity: How many are left? – Word Wall – Coming soon

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.