Subtraction Teaching Resources
Browse subtraction worksheets, games and more teacher-created activities for your lesson plans!
Aligned with both the TEKS and Common Core curriculums, each resource in this subtraction collection has been carefully reviewed and curated by our expert teachers to ensure it's ready to use with your students. Browse printables and digital activities for teaching students how to take away, use subtraction to compare quantities, subtract two-digit numbers with regrouping, solve word problems and so much more!
Whether you're teaching your 1st grade class to add and subtract within 20 or your 3rd graders how to fluently subtract within 1,000, or you're explaining to a 6th grade group how to add or subtract integers on a number line, there are plenty of options for your planning.
New to teaching subtraction, or just looking for new ways to engage your students? Read on for a primer from our teacher team, including a kid-friendly definition to explain what it means to subtract, plus a look at the subtraction sign and more math vocabulary for teaching kids this whole number operation.
What Is Subtraction? A Kid-Friendly Definition
If you're teaching in the early grades and introducing subtraction for the very first time, you may need a definition that can help you explain what it means to subtract numbers.
Subtraction is a math operation we can use when we have a number and we want to find out what's left when we take away another number.
For example, let's say you have 5 toys, and your friend takes 2 of them home. How can you determine how many toys are left? You can use subtraction!
If you subtract 2 from the number 5, you are left with 3.
What Is the Subtraction Sign Called?
There are several math symbols and signs that help us understand the relationships between numbers in our math problems. Students should learn early on to identify the subtraction symbol, which is called the minus sign.
The minus sign (-) looks like a short line.
When it is placed between two numbers, it lets us know that we should subtract the number on the right from the number on the left.
For example, look at the subtraction problem below:
- 6-3
In this problem, the minus sign tells us that you will need to subtract — or take away — 3 from the number 6.
What Is the Answer to a Subtraction Problem Called?
Teaching math in elementary or middle school involves teaching a significant amount of math vocabulary!
When it comes to subtraction, one word kids need to learn early on is "difference" — this is the word we use for the answer to a subtraction problem.
What Are the Numbers Called in Subtraction?
Words like subtraction, difference and minus are commonly used in the classroom, but what about the numbers in a subtraction problem?
These are not typically taught to students, but keeping the names of the numbers in a subtraction problem in your back pocket can be helpful anyway!
- Minuend — This is the number on the left in a subtraction problem. It is the number that you are "taking away" from.
- Subtrahend — This is the number on the right in a subtraction problem. It is the number that you are "taking away."
Teaching Kids How to Subtract — 3 Fun Ideas From Our Teacher Team
Looking for some tips on teaching subtraction? This collection of resources is full of ideas from our expert math teachers, but we didn't stop there.
Here are some tips that may help you teach kids how to subtract and build fluency!
1. Focus on Missing Addends
Missing addend addition is sometimes easier for kids to grasp when tackling subtraction problems.
For example, rather than 17 - 8, gear your students to think, "8 plus what equals 17?"
2. Teach Regrouping With Base-10 Blocks
Students need to understand they aren't changing the value of the minuend in the subtraction problem, just what it looks like. For example, 42 is still 42, even if it's represented as 30 + 12 instead of 40 + 2.
This is where it helps to teach the concept of regrouping using Base-10 blocks.
3. Use Subtraction Rhymes
Using fun rhymes as mnemonics in subtraction can help your student remember the rules. Here's one of our favorites for teaching students subtraction with regrouping:
More on top?
No need to stop!
More on the floor?
Go next door.
Add 10 more.
If the numbers are the same, then 0 is the name!
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Candy Cane Activity - Double Digit Subtraction Tarsia Puzzle
Practice double-digit subtraction with regrouping with a Christmas candy cane activity.
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Secret Code Number Line - Worksheet
Crack the number line code with five number line codebreaker worksheets to practice number identification, addition, and subtraction.
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Dominate the Dragon – Mental Math Worksheets
Capture your students' interest in math drills for all four operations with these fun dragon-themed differentiated math worksheets.
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2-Digit Subtraction Model Match-Up
Use a rigorous subtraction matching game to match subtraction word problems with number sentences, bar models, and solutions.
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Subtract From 10 Board Game
Have a “blast” with this space-themed “Subtract From 10” board game that gives your students the practice they need with tens subtraction facts.
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Ten Frame Printable Templates
Use these printable ten frames in various math lessons to reinforce number sense and other essential skills.
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Bump! Subtraction to 10 Math Game
Practice subtraction facts to 10 with a fun printable subtraction board game.
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Subtraction with Ten Frames - Worksheet
Model and subtract numbers to twenty using ten frames with a handy ten-frame subtraction worksheet.
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Addition and Subtraction Problem Solving Task Cards
Practice solving 1- and 2-step word problems by adding and subtracting 2-digit numbers with this set of 16 task cards.
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Tens Frame - Addition and Subtraction Match-Up Activity
Build addition and subtraction skills with two tens frame matching games.
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Addition and Subtraction Worksheets for Kindergarten
Share these addition and subtraction worksheets for kindergarten with your students to give them practice adding and subtracting with a wide variety of representations.
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Making Tens Subtraction Worksheet
Find friendly numbers to subtract with a printable subtraction worksheet.
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3-Digit Addition and Subtraction with Regrouping - Posters
Break down the steps to use regrouping to find a solution with an addition and a subtraction poster.
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Bunny Number Lines - Addition and Subtraction Task Cards
Hop down the number line with the Easter Bunny to practice addition and subtraction on a number line.
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Christmas Math Worksheets - Addition and Subtraction Mazes
Navigate these Christmas math mazes with addition and subtraction facts to keep those minds active!
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Roll It! Operations Game
Use this fun game to practice all four operations and/or order of operations.
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Subtraction Dog – Worksheet
Practice subtraction facts with this set of differentiated worksheets.
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Color by Number Addition and Subtraction Worksheets
Combine math and art with our color by number addition and subtraction worksheets that feature problems with solutions up to 20.
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Missing Addends Addition Worksheet
Build addition strategies with this worksheet where students need to identify the missing addend and matching subtraction equations.
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Multi-Step Addition and Subtraction Word Problem Task Cards
Solve multi-step addition and subtraction word problems with a set of printable math task cards.
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Addition and Subtraction Word Problems - Match Game
Practice reading, modeling, and solving addition and subtraction word problems with a matching activity.
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Teaching the Subtraction Algorithm - Instructional Slides
Use this animated Instructional Slide Deck with your students when teaching how to use the subtraction algorithm with regrouping.
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Math Graphic Organizers - Printable Work Mats
Practice working on specific math concepts with our set of 5 printable math graphic organizers.
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Subtraction Methods - Printable Mini-Book
Teach and practice various subtraction strategies with a printable 3-digit subtraction mini book.
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Subtraction Using Base 10 Blocks - Worksheet
Subtract two-digit numbers using base-10 blocks with a printable subtraction worksheet.
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Part-Part-Whole Addition and Subtraction Worksheets
Reinforce your students' understanding of how a strip diagram is used to solve 1-digit addition and subtraction number facts using the part-part-whole strategy.
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Part-Part-Whole - Addition and Subtraction Teaching Slides
Teach your students how to effectively use a bar model to solve 1-digit addition and subtraction number facts using the part-part-whole strategy.
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Printable Number Line 0–30
Make counting a visual experience with this set of 4 multi-purpose 0–30 printable number lines.
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Parts of a Number Sentence (Addition and Subtraction) - Posters
Display these posters when learning about parts of addition and subtraction problems.
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Addition and Subtraction Within 20 – Worksheet
Use this worksheet with your students when exploring addition and subtraction within 20.
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Mixed Operations Minute Math Booklet (Lower-Level Version)
Jump into your math lessons with this ten-page mental math booklet covering the four operations and number patterns.
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Mathematics Vocabulary Posters
A teaching resource to help students identify the associated vocabulary for mathematical operations.