📖

Break Apart to Subtract

Subtraction Within 20: Think Addition

Day 44of 180
Week 9of 36
30Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)🧮 Download Math Practice (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand how to break apart numbers to solve subtraction problems

2

Demonstrate subtraction strategies using numbers 10-20

3

Develop problem-solving confidence

📖 Scripture Connection

Proverbs 24:3-4

“Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established. By knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.”

— Proverbs 24:3-4 (WEB)

Just as we break down complex building tasks into smaller steps, we can break down math problems into manageable parts

📦 Materials Needed

  • linking cubes
  • number line
  • pencil
  • worksheet
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

BibleMouse Math Adventure: Today we'll learn how to break big subtraction problems into smaller, easier pieces!

💭 Review Question: What did we learn about subtraction yesterday?
2Teaching (10 min)

Demonstrating number breaking strategy

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • When we subtract a larger number, we can break it into smaller steps
  • Example: 15 - 8 can be solved by first taking away 5 to get to 10, then taking away 3 more
  • This makes subtraction less scary and more fun!
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • What makes big numbers feel tricky?
  • How can we make subtraction feel easier?
3Activity: Cube Subtraction Challenge (12 min)
hands-on

Use linking cubes to physically demonstrate breaking apart numbers

📝 Instructions:
  1. Build a tower of 15 cubes
  2. Remove 5 cubes first
  3. Then remove 3 more cubes
  4. Count how many cubes remain
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Use smaller numbers like 12 - 5

Challenge: Try subtraction problems involving teens

4Closing (3 min)

Recap our subtraction strategy

📝 Review Questions:
  • What strategy did we learn today?
  • How can breaking numbers help us subtract?

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll play Subtraction Strategy Showdown!

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Breaking numbers helps children understand subtraction as a process, not just a calculation

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Be patient and celebrate small victories
  • Use physical objects to demonstrate concepts
  • Make math feel like a game, not a chore
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might get confused when breaking larger numbers

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Child demonstrates comfort manipulating numbers and shows problem-solving enthusiasm

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Create a subtraction story problem using cube towers
  • Practice breaking apart numbers on the number line

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 45 →Back to Math