Think-Addition Subtraction Strategy Cards 1s
Teacher Note:
The most common approach for learning the subtraction facts is to “think addition”. Therefore, subtraction facts are
named according to the strategy used for the related addition facts. For example, 9-1=8 is part of the count-on
subtraction fact group because it relates to 8+1=9 which involved counting on by one.
Ideas for using Think-Addition Subtraction Strategy Cards
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Show the students a card and allow the students to discover the following:
a. The card shows an addition fact.
b. The numerals above the dots show how many dots there are on the left-hand and right-hand sides.
c. The numeral at the bottom shows how many total dots there are.
Show a card and discuss the two addition facts that the card shows.
Hold the 1+3 card so that the flap showing the 3 covers the three dots.
Ask the students what they know when they look at the card
a. There are four dots total.
b. Only one dot is showing.
Ask how we could figure out how many dots are covered.
a. We could start at four and count back one to make three.
b. We know that one added to three is four, so there must be three dots covered.
We discussed the addition facts that this card shows earlier, what subtraction equations can we write using this
card?
a. 4 – 1 = 3
b. 4 – 3 = 1
Students can independently use the cards to become more fluent with their facts after the above ideas are
understood.
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