Subtraction Strip Board

The Subtraction Strip Board makes subtraction concrete through the strip manipulation, showing the 'taking away' concept.

• Framework: Montessori
• Unit: Mathematics
• Learning area: Operations
• Level: Ages 4-6

Objectives

• Practice subtraction facts
• Understand subtraction as taking away
• Connect to addition relationships
• Build mental math skills

Materials

• Subtraction Strip Board (0-18)
• Red strips and blue subtraction strips
• Subtraction tables for recording

Instructions

1. Present problem: 8 - 3. 2. Place strip from 0 to 8. 3. Slide blue strip showing 3 to cover end. 4. Read answer where blue strip begins. 5. 8 - 3 = 5. 6. Work through subtraction tables.

Educator tip

Connect to addition: if 5 + 3 = 8, then 8 - 3 = 5. This relationship supports fact fluency.

Assessment

Child uses strip board accurately for subtraction.

More from Mathematics

• Stamp Game
• Fraction Circles
• Telling Time
• Number Rods and Numerals
• Memory Game: Number Walk
• Skip Counting Chains: Chain of 100
• Golden Beads: Subtraction with Exchanging
• Multiplication with Bead Bars: Skip Counting