Subtraction Strategies Teaching Resources
If you're teaching subtraction strategies and need printable worksheets, math center activities and more, you are in the right place.
Our expert teacher team has created hundreds of engaging subtraction resources that have been aligned to the curriculum. That means these resources will help you to help your students meet Common Core and state-level standards. What's more, each printable and digital teaching resource has undergone a rigorous review by the teachers on the Teach Starter team to ensure they're student-ready.
What Is a Subtraction Strategy and Why Do We Teach Them?
There's no doubt that subtraction is a fundamental math skill that students must learn in order to progress to more advanced math concepts. That's where subtraction strategies come in handy — they help students to understand how to take away one number from another, and to visualize the results of subtraction problems.
Using strategies in math teaches students to think flexibly about numbers and will help them develop automaticity. These strategies are important for students to learn early in elementary school in order to be successful in math as they progress into middle school and later high school or even college.
What Are Some Different Subtraction Strategies?
If you're teaching subtraction for the first time in a long time, you might need to quickly revisit the strategies most often used for solving these problems! There are a few different strategies that can be used when subtracting numbers.
The Traditional Subtraction Strategy:
The most common strategy is to start at the number on the right and work your way left.
The New or Inverse Subtraction Strategy:
Another strategy for subtraction is to start with the number on the left and work your way right. This is often called the "new" or "inverse" method.
The Counting Up Strategy
The "counting up" strategy involves starting at the number you are subtracting from and counting up to the number you are subtracting.
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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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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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Subtraction on a Number Line – Worksheets
Practice subtracting two-digit numbers with regrouping using a number line and the jump strategy with a pack of differentiated 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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Subtraction Using the Bar Model - Worksheet
Review and assess your students’ subtraction skills with a 3-digit subtraction worksheet focusing on the bar model strategy.
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Subtraction Strategies – Worksheet
Assess your students’ knowledge of subtraction strategies with a subtraction assessment.
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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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Jump Strategy Subtraction Game
Learn how to use the jump strategy to solve subtraction problems with a fun subtraction game.
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Making Tens Subtraction Worksheet
Find friendly numbers to subtract with a printable subtraction worksheet.
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Bar Model Subtraction - Math Color By Number Worksheet
Bring a bit of spooky math fun into the classroom with a Halloween color by number worksheet focused on subtraction using a bar model.
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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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Addition and Subtraction Mat - Apple Tree
Solve addition and subtraction problems up to 10 with a hands-on apple math center.
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Subtraction with Regrouping - Printable Math Mat
Explore subtraction with regrouping using a printable subtraction math mat.
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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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Printable Blank Number Line - 0-120
Create personal number lines for use in math lessons with a printable blank number line template for numbers from 1-120.
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2-Digit Subtraction Using Bar Models- Differentiated Worksheets
Review and assess your students’ subtraction skills with differentiated 2-digit subtraction worksheets focusing on the bar model strategy.
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Subtraction using Place Value Disks - Worksheet
Subtract 3-digit numbers using place value disks with a printable 3rd-grade subtraction worksheet.
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3 Digit Subtraction Worksheets - Subtraction Strategy Practice
Review and assess your students’ subtraction skills with a pack of printable worksheets covering various strategies for 3-digit subtraction.
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Teaching the Subtraction Algorithm - Instructional Slides
Engage your students in mathematical problem solving with. a subtraction algorithm teaching presentation.
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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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2nd Grade Subtraction Strategies — Task Cards
Practice using various strategies to solve 2-digit subtraction problems with a set of task cards.
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Strip Diagram (Bar Model) Poster Pack
Help your students solve problems using the four operations with a pack of printable strip diagram anchor charts.
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2-Digit Subtraction with Place Value Disks - Match Up
Practice using place value disks to solve 2-digit subtraction problems with a matching activity.
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Addition and Subtraction Work Mat
Practice addition and subtraction concepts daily with a printable work mat for students.
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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 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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Double-Digit Subtraction Strategies Posters
Remind your students to use different subtraction strategies with a set of printable subtraction anchor charts.
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Linking Addition and Subtraction Worksheet
Explore the relationship between addition and subtraction with a fact family worksheet.
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Taking From 10 - Number Facts Board Game
Practice the "Taking from 10" subtraction strategy with this board game.
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3 Digit Subtraction With Regrouping Game Cards
Practice 3-Digit subtraction with regrouping strategies with a printable set of subtraction strategy task cards.
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Number Bonds Math Center Activity
Use this hands-on number bonds (addition and subtraction) strategy activity in your next guided math group lesson!
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Multi-Digit Subtraction - Interactive Claw Machine
Review knowledge of 3-and-4-digit subtraction with an exciting interactive claw machine game!