Subtraction Action! {FREEBIES}

Wow! This last month of school has been a whirlwind of craziness for me! On top of closing up the school year and getting ready for a big move across the country to NY, we've been displaced from our apartment for weeks due to a flood and mold issue...right in the midst of all our packing!! We leave on June 20th and I am soooo not ready! In other news, school is out and I am ready to enjoy Maui for the next few weeks before I say good-bye to this beautiful island!

And as I promised way too long ago, here is some of the fun we had with subtraction. Better late than never!

Five Little Ducks

 We read Five Little Ducks and acted out subtraction problems using duck puppets. Then we used rubber ducks in a "pond" to model subtraction stories. I modeled with the ducks while the kids used orange cubes for ducks and blue construction paper ponds.

This lesson inspired an idea for one of my math tubs. I just filled one of the tubs with a bit of water, added some small rubber ducks (from the Walmart party favor section) and a recording sheet! They modeled subtraction problems with the ducks and recorded the equations on the sheet. They LOVED it! So simple to make, and it was definitely the hit of the year! Click here for the Duck Subtraction Recording Sheet. You may want to laminate the recording sheets and have them use expo markers to avoid making a mess!

Peter Rabbit

 We read The Tale of Peter Rabbit, then acted out story problems. In each problem, Peter would take some carrots from Mr. McGregor's garden. I didn't have any bunny ears, so I made some from construction paper and I printed out some large carrots for props. While some of the kids acted out the story problems, the rest of the class modeled the problems on their Bunny Work Mats and recorded the answers on their white boards. This cute idea is from Deeanna at Golden Gang Kindergarten. She is so creative!

Five Little Monkeys
We sang Five Little Monkeys and acted out subtraction problems with monkey puppets (ex: 6 little monkeys swinging in a tree, teasing Mr. Alligator, "Can't catch me!" Along came Mr. Alligator, quiet as can be and snapped 4 monkeys out of that tree). One student was the alligator and used his arms to "snap" the monkeys out of the tree. Then the kids used a tree mat and monkeys to model the problems. Finally, they colored and pasted their monkeys on their page to make a subtraction story for a class book. Click here for Five Monkeys Subtraction activities.

 

Five Speckled Frogs
We sang Five Speckled Frogs and modeled subtraction problems using frog props on the felt board. Then each student got their own lily pad and frog counters (I found these in the party favor section at Walmart). They modeled and wrote subtraction problems as we sang: "4 green speckled frogs sat on a speckled log eating the most delicious flies, yum yum! 2 jumped into the pool, where it was nice and cool. Now how many green speckled frogs?" Click here for Five Speckled Frogs Props.

Pete the Cat
Do your kids love Pete as much as mine do?! We read "Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons" and then modeled subtraction problems using my Pete the Cat poster and some buttons. Then each student got a Pete Work Mat and some buttons. As I told stories about Pete losing his buttons, they modeled the problems and wrote the equations. This awesome idea was also adapted from Deeanna at Golden Gang Kindergarten. Have I mentioned how creative she is?!

Who Stole the Cookies?

We sang "Who Stole the Cookies?" and modeled subtraction using a big jar work mat and some "cookies." As one child took away cookies, the class wrote the equation on their white boards. Then, each child got their own cookies (Cookie Crisp cereal worked well for this) and a cookie jar work mat and recording sheet. I told subtraction stories as they modeled and wrote the problems. Fun and delicious! The kids wanted to take the work mats home so they could practice subtraction with their cereal in the morning! Love it! Click here for my Cookie Subtraction Activities.

If You Were a Minus Sign

We read "If You Were a Minus Sign." Similar to the addition version, this book is filled with many adorably illustrated subtraction stories. After reading, we worked together to illustrate subtraction stories on chart paper. Later, each child illustrated their own subtraction story for our Subtraction Class Book.

Alexander Who Used to be Rich
We read "Alexander Who Used to be Rich Last Sunday." After reading, we used piggy bank mats and pennies to model subtraction. I used the kids' names to tell subtraction stories. For example, "Jenna used to be rich last Sunday. She had 6 pennies in her piggy bank. Then she bought a (child names an item) for 3 pennies. How much does she have left?" They had to model the problem with pennies and record the equation on the recording sheet. They loved hearing the stories with their own names! Click here for my Piggy Bank Subtraction Activities.

Monster Musical Chairs

To practice subtracting one, we read this fun story about some monsters who play musical chairs. Each time, one monster is out! After reading and discussing the story, we played musical chairs! I had one table play at a time, and the remainder of the class watched and wrote the subtraction sentences on their white boards. Then we discussed the patterns we noticed in our equations (minus one, one less each time, etc). Then, the kids used these cute monsters from First Grade Best to cut and paste a "minus one" subtraction story in their journals.

The Cheerios Counting Book

We read The Cheerios Counting Book and then ate cheerios as we practiced subtraction. I told them how many Cheerios to put on their plate and then how many to eat. As they ate the cheerios, they wrote out the subtraction sentences.

Ten Frame Race
Certainly not original, but the kids had fun using this game to review addition and subtraction. First we played on our large human ten frame. We took turns rolling a large pocket cube (labeled +1, +2, +3, -1, -2, -3). Each time students were either added or taken away from the ten frame. The game continued until we got to 10. Then partners worked together to play the game. I labeled wooden cubes to use with this game and quickly made up some game boards. Here is a copy of my Ten Frame Race game boards. I included Race to Ten and Race to 20.

Number Line Race
This is another great review game. We practiced playing as a group using a large "human" number line and pocket cube. The cube is labeled +1, +2, +3, -1, -2, -3. Two students modeled for the class, rolling the cube and racing to the end of the number line! They start on zero and go forward or backward depending on their roll. First player to reach 10 wins! Then, students played with their partners, using a number line game board, spinner, and car counters to play. The game board was inspired by The Teacher Wife! Click here for the Race to Ten Game Board.

Quick Freebie + New Facebook Page!

We've been working on subtraction this week, and I just whipped up this fun little game to use with my kiddos tomorrow. Once I introduce the game in whole group, it will be perfect for independent practice at math centers. If you have a mini bowling set, you can use the work mat to set the pins up on. Otherwise, you could just use a regular bowling set or even paper cups! Click the picture to download.

 

More subtraction action to come! I'm also working on a plant unit and some ocean math & literacy centers!! Busy as always ;)

PS - I just *attempted* to add a button to my new Facebook page. If you follow me on Facebook, you'll be sure to get up-to-the-minute info about all my freebies and sales! Let me know if you have any problems getting there!

Halloween Subtraction {FREEBIE}

Happy October everyone! I was at Walmart the other day and I found this adorable book called Ten Timid Ghosts. It's a story about ten ghosts who get scared from their house one by one, which I thought would make for excellent practice with counting back and subtraction. I modified one of my October centers to go along with this story to give away as a FREEBIE!

For this activity, you will need manipulatives, such as ghost erasers packing peanuts, or white beans...get creative!

To play, students choose a card, place it on the mat, model the subtraction problem with their "ghosts" and then write their equation on the recording sheet. You could also have them model the story as they read, going in order starting from ten and subtracting one each time until they reach zero. Click the image to download. Have fun with it!

Fun with Subtraction!

The Action of Subtraction
We began our subtraction unit by reading The Action of Subtraction. Although it was probably a little more appropriate for first grade, the kids enjoyed the rhyming text. Then the children acted out subtraction problems as I told subtraction stories.

 

Five Little Ducks

We sang Five Little Ducks and acted out the song with Duck Puppets. Then we used rubber ducks to model subtraction problems as a whole group. Finally, the children used counters and Work Mats to practice independently. I added the rubber duck activity to one of our math tubs.

Five Little Monkeys

We sang and acted out the song Five Little Monkeys. I modeled subtraction problems using my Chicka Chicka Tree and Monkey Props. Then the children used counters and Work Mats to model subtraction stories. Finally, we made a Five Little Monkeys Class Book.

 

Five Green & Speckled Frogs

We sang and acted out the song Five Green & Speckled Frogs. Here are some Frog Props I made. Just laminate and stick magnets/velcro on back. We modeled subtraction problems using props. Then the children used frog counters and Work Mats to model problems independently.

Subtraction Stories

First I modeled some subtraction stories on chart paper. I pre-drew the pictures and had the children help me tell the stories and write the equations. Then the children wrote their own stories.

Who Took the Cookies?

We read Who Took the Cookies? and acted out subtraction stories based on the song. I made a poster of a cookie jar and some paper cookies. I told subtraction stories as the children took cookies from the jar. For example: "There were 6 cookies in the jar. John took 4 cookies. How many are left?" Then the children wrote and illustrated pages for our Who Took the Cookies Class Book.  Another fun activity that we didn't get to do is use Cookie Crisp Cereal to model subtraction problems on a Cookie Jar Mat. As you tell subtraction stories, the children eat the cookies!

Benny's Pennies

We read Benny's Pennies and modeled subtraction stories with pennies. After I modeled on the board with magnetic pennies, each child used pennies and a Piggy Bank Mat to model subtraction. I called out subtraction stories using the children's names. For example, "Nicole had 6 pennies. She spent 4 pennies on candy. How much does she have left?" The children modeled the problems and wrote the equations on their white boards.

Clear the Deck
We reviewed addition and subtraction with this fun game from Can Do Kinders. I had the children work in pairs and split one game board between them. Each child started with ten cubes. They rolled +/- dice and numeral dice to determine how many cubes to add or subtract from their side. I also had them write each equation on their white boards for extra practice. The first to "clear their deck" wins! They had so much fun with this!