Mental Subtraction - The Complete Series (5 lessons)

Each lesson includes a detailed plan, an engaging and informative slide show for the teaching input, as well as differentiated worksheets and activity ideas!

In this first lesson, children will be introduced to subtracting mentally. They will learn how to subtract multiples of 1, 10 and 100 from three-digit numbers. Children can generate their own subtraction number sentences to solve, or in the alternate activity, can play a game based on what they have learnt.

The lesson begins with children answering some quick-fire subtraction questions. Your class are then introduced to the different vocabulary associated with subtraction. They will identify this vocabulary in word problems, and then solve them. Children will apply this understanding in their independent work, where they can play a subtraction-based game, or work out number facts about an alien!

Children will be introduced to the term ‘inverse’, and will learn how to use the inverse operation to check the answers to subtraction number sentences. They will use this method to independently check and correct given number sentences, or alternatively, children can play a game where they have to use their knowledge of the inverse operation.

In this lesson, children will be reminded of their understanding of the inverse operation and how it can be used to check answers. They will then learn how to use this knowledge to find missing numbers in subtraction number sentences. In the independent activity, children will choose the correct missing numbers from a given set of answers. Alternatively, they can use their knowledge to solve subtraction puzzles.

In this final lesson, children will apply their knowledge and understanding of subtraction to real-life money problems. They will learn how to reduce prices, total amounts and then work out change from a specified amount. In their independent activities, children will solve two-step and multi-step word problems involving money.