Subtraction Strip Board

The subtraction strip board provides systematic practice of all subtraction facts, building the fluency needed for multi-digit subtraction.

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

Objectives

• Practice subtraction facts to 18
• Build subtraction fact fluency
• Understand subtraction as inverse of addition
• Develop mental subtraction strategies

Materials

• Subtraction strip board
• Blue and red strips
• Subtraction tables chart
• Answer booklet

Instructions

1. Present problem: 9 - 4. 2. Place blue strip on 9. 3. Place red strip (4 long) overlapping from 9 backward. 4. Read answer where red strip ends: 5. 5. Record: 9 - 4 = 5. 6. Continue through subtraction tables. 7. Observe patterns.

Educator tip

Connect to addition: 'If 9 - 4 = 5, then 5 + 4 = ?' Building fact families strengthens all operations.

Assessment

Child completes subtraction strip board work accurately and identifies fact families.

More from Mathematics

• Introduction to Greater Than and Less Than
• Odd and Even Numbers
• Thousand Chain Counting
• Addition Strip Board
• Subtraction with Golden Beads: Static
• Number Bonds to 10
• Multiplication Bead Board
• Fraction Skittles: Introduction to Fractions