The past two days the kindergarten class has been learning about a new strategy for subtracting numbers within ten. The students learned about number lines previously when they learned about addition within ten. The students were familiar with a number line already, so yesterday we briefly reviewed number lines and I modeled how we can use a number line to solve subtraction problems. We then practiced some examples on the board together before breaking into table groups where students interacted with large number lines made out of tape. The students used dry erase markers and took turns solving the subtraction problems said out loud and written on the board.
Today the students practiced using number lines for solving subtraction problems again by using individual number lines and a cut out bunny that they used to hop backwards to find the solution to the problem. Tomorrow students will review all the strategies we have learned about for subtraction through math centers and will wrap up our exploration of subtraction Friday. Then next week the students will begin a new exploration of time.