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Lesson Plan

Getting Wordy with Subtraction

This lesson will make solving subtraction word problems fun for students. It includes music and interaction to grab your students' attention.
Need extra help for EL students? Try the Subtraction Story Problems pre-lesson.
Grades:
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Need extra help for EL students? Try the Subtraction Story Problems pre-lesson.

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to explain how to solve a subtraction word problem. Students will be able to illustrate subtraction word problems. Students will be able to solve written subtraction word problems.

Introduction

(5 minutes)
  • Show class the What's Missing? Subtraction Song to introduce the topic.
  • Tell students that they will be learning how to solve subtraction word problems.
  • Remind the class that subtraction is taking away one amount from another amount.

Beginning

  • Before showing the video, activate prior knowledge of insects by asking students to name different insects, or bugs.
  • Teach students that a "hive" is a place where bees live, and a "moth" is an insect similar to a fly.

Intermediate

  • After watching the video write the equation 7 = 10 - 3 on the board. Check student understanding of the equal sign by asking students to give you a thumbs up if the equation is true.
  • Write 6 = 9 - 5 on the board, and ask students to give a thumbs up if the equation is true. Continue with a few more examples to build understanding of the equal sign.