Activities to Teach Students to Use Ten to Subtract
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Subtraction is an essential mathematical operation that students must learn to excel in mathematical concepts. As students progress through their studies, they will encounter several different subtraction methods, including using ten to subtract. Activities that instill such strategies will help students develop a better understanding of subtraction methods and mathematical reasoning.
Below are some activities for teaching students to use ten to subtract:
1. Counting Back in Tens
Counting back in tens is an excellent way of teaching students to use ten to subtract. Encourage your students to count back ten from a given number rather than using the traditional subtraction method. For instance, if the question is “What is 54-10?,” students would count back from 54, subtracting in tens. The answer would be 44. These exercises can be done both orally and in writing.
2. Place Value Towers
Another fun and simple subtraction activity students can do to practice using ten to subtract is with Place Value Towers or Blocks. Have students place ten blocks together to represent a tens place and count nine additional ones to represent a total of 19. Ask your students to subtract a few ones from the tower and have them count how many blocks remain. This activity is a fun way for children to grasp the idea of subtraction by conceptually understanding how numbers are constructed.
3. Subtracting from a Two-Digit Number
Once your students are comfortable with counting back in tens and using Place Value Towers, they can move on to working with larger numbers. To ensure students are comfortable with the technique, have them start by subtracting a single-digit number from a two-digit one. For example, if the question is, “What is 38-6?” students would recognize that they need to subtract 10 from 38 (by counting back in tens). Then, they would subtract the remaining four to get the answer, which is 32.
4. Speed Counting in Tens
Speed counting in tens is an engaging and challenging way to teach your students to use ten to subtract. Start by asking them to count backward from a given number, and then challenge them to do it as quickly as possible. This activity not only teaches students about subtraction using ten, but it also fosters a competitive and fun environment that encourages children to test and reinforce their mathematical skills.
In conclusion, students will benefit from these exciting and interactive activities to develop their mathematics skills. It is essential to make mathematics fun and engaging for students, and the above activities will help your students become confident with the ten-subtraction method and improve their overall mathematical performance. With a little practice, using ten to subtract will become second nature, and students will be confident in their ability to tackle more complex mathematical operations with ease.