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How to teach subtraction in KS1
Professor Ruth Merttens gives strategies for helping Key Stage 1 children approach subtraction.
If children in Key Stage 1 are struggling with subtraction, especially when we get to harder subtractions, it's worth thinking about how the children conceptualise it.
Subtraction is two concepts:
- Decrease, for which we count back.
- Difference, for which we count up.
Ruth discusses these two concepts and strategies, as each is appropriate for different calculations.
Plans and resources for teaching subtraction
Explore a wealth of resources to help you teach subtraction in Year 1 and Year 2, including PowerPoints, group activities, worksheets, and subtraction problems for mastery.
Subtraction for Year 1
- Year 1 Subtraction: Count back/take away
Subtraction for Year 2
- Year 2 Subtraction: Subtract by counting back
- Year 2 Subtraction: Subtract by counting up; choose a strategy