Math · Pre-K – Grade 5
Subtraction
Taking apart a whole, finding what remains, or finding the missing part.
First, your child should already…
This skill builds directly on:
- Addition — master this first.
What your child is learning
Subtraction is the inverse of addition. Children need to see it as taking away, comparing, and finding missing parts, not only as a memorized procedure.
Signs your child is ready
- Understands part-whole models
- Can count backward or count up
- Recognizes related addition facts
The common stumbling point
Treating subtraction as a direction to always count backward, even when counting up or using a related addition fact would be clearer.
Practice this skill
Worksheets and decodable practice for Subtraction are in the library.
Practice this skill with All AccessHow to know it’s mastered
The child solves grade-level subtraction and explains whether the problem is take-away, compare, or missing part.
What comes next
Once this is solid, move on to:
Place Value →