Low prep Subtraction Math Centers for First Grade

Let’s talk subtraction math centers for first graders! Just like addition, subtraction needs to be taught using a variety of hands-on activities and methods. Students learn to subtract by acting it out, using manipulatives, drawing pictures, and using what they know about addition.

When students are in kindergarten, they learn how to subtract by taking from or taking apart. In first grade, students solve total unknown (10-8=?), change unknown (10-?=2), and comparison word problems (they compare quantities and say how many more or less/fewer between two quantities).

Strategies that Work

Teaching students to subtract is a bit more challenging than addition from my experience. The problem stems from them not understanding what the math problem is asking them to solve. The students that don’t know to solve the problem and their go-to is to add the two numbers they find together. We spend time getting students to comprehend the word problem by asking them “what do we know” and “what do we want to know.” Once they understand what the word problem is asking, then they represent it as a number sentence.

Four Strategies You Can Use

1. Read the word problem or number sentence multiple times. Students will need to listen to what the story to grasp what the story is about, gives them time to visualize the story to understand what’s happening. Some studnets need to just hear the numbers. Just remember to ask them to share their thinking with the group so everyone can work together to clear up any misconceptions.
2. Act it Out – Students can act it out! This will allow them to visualize the problem using movement. They can act it out with their bodies, their fingers, or objects.
3. Be a model – Model how to use objects or drawings to solve number sentences or math stories. By showing them how to do it, they will be see how to solve it. Also, engage students while you model how to solve. Ask them, “What do I do next” or “why do you think …” This requires them to be active listeners and engage in their learning.
4. Multiple Strategies – Provide time for them to show how they solved a problem in more than one way. There’s more than one way to arrive at an answer so make sure you give students the platform to share it. This can be empowering to students because it allows them to think fluently about math but also teaches them if one strategy is too hard for them to use, there is another one they can use instead.

Strategies that Work

Here are some strategies that work!

Part-Part-Whole Diagram – This will help students organize information and see what’s the number they need to solve for.

Number Bonds – Just like Part-part-whole, students can use number bonds to retell math stories.

Number Lines and Number Paths – Understanding that takes from means moving down the number line and the numbers get smaller, so your answer should be smaller as well.

Drawing – Represent number sentences by making circles and crossing out to show subtraction.

Activities that Work

Here are some subtraction math center activities that I have used in the classroom to teach subtraction. They are all hands-on, low-prep, and effective.

Roll, Solve, and Cover

Students will benefit from knowing the ways to make 10. Roll the die, solve the number sentence, cover the number sentence with an object. Repeat until one column reaches the top.

Spin and Graph

Some students learn how to subtract by decomposing teen numbers so this activity support this skill. Spin and graph activity using ten and some ones. The first column to reach the top first wins!

Solve and Cover

Solve the number sentences and cover the sum on the board.

Word Problems: Total Unknown

Solve total unknown math stories.

Word Problems: Change Unknown

Students practice solving word problems with the change unknown.

Comparison Word Problems

Students solve comparison math stories.

Number Line Subtraction

Solve number sentences by using a number line.

Number Path Subtraction

Use a number path to solve subtraction equations.

Roll and Solve

Roll the die and write the number. Solve for the missing part.

Flip It and Solve It

This is a partner game. Flip a card and solve the number sentences. First player to the finish line wins.

Balancing Equations

Students match expressions.

Clip It: Balancing Equations

Students determine whether the balance equation is true or false.

The Missing Number

This is a partner game. Solve subtraction number sentences. The first player to the finish line wins!

Subtraction Smile-Off

Solve number sentences by using multiple strategies. If your answer is correct, color a smiley face!

Teen Number Subtraction

Subtract to solve number sentences using a number bond.

Take From 10 to Subtract

Solve subtraction problems by taking from the 10 to subtract.

Spin and Take Away

Spin the spinners to create a number sentence and solve the problem.

Grab these activities

Get all of these activities in one download.

Subtraction Math Center Freebie

You can never have too many math center activities. Here’s a freebie from my Subtraction Math Centers packet. You can grab this low-prep activity by completing the form below. 

What are some strategies that you use to teach subtraction? Let me know in the comments section.

Happy Teaching,

Tee