Stamp Game Subtraction

Stamp Game subtraction moves the concrete borrowing concept from Golden Beads to a more abstract representation, bridging toward written subtraction.

• Framework: Montessori
• Unit: Mathematics
• Learning area: Operations
• Level: Ages 5-6

Objectives

• Perform subtraction with stamps
• Practice borrowing/exchanging
• Record subtraction on paper

Materials

• Stamp Game
• Small numeral cards
• Pencil and paper

Instructions

1. Build minuend with stamps. 2. 'Take away' subtrahend from each category. 3. Exchange when needed: trade 1 ten-stamp for 10 unit-stamps. 4. Count remaining stamps. 5. Record result. 6. Write equation on paper.

Educator tip

When exchanging, physically remove 1 stamp from the higher category and replace with 10 of the lower. The visual is powerful.

Assessment

Child performs dynamic subtraction with stamps and records on paper.

More from Mathematics

• Addition Strip Board
• Subtraction Strip Board
• Multiplication Bead Board
• Division Bead Board
• Word Problems with Golden Beads
• Addition Finger Charts
• Subtraction Finger Charts
• Multiplication Finger Charts