Mental Math Subtraction – Part Two – Free Math Tutoring Video

Here is part two in the free math tutoring videos showing you how to teach subtraction using mental math strategies. This particular strategy is about “taking from the ten” and is SO much more useful than counting back. It is often easier than the way I showed in part one, especially if you are subtracting 6, 7, 8, or 9.

Three manipulatives are shown as options for teaching this concept – plastic eggs, an abacus and Cuisenaire Rods. Feel free to substitute your own manipulatives. The important thing is that the children have something to TOUCH as well as look at when learning how to subtract this way. Enough times of doing it with manipulatives and they will begin to internalize the structure of the method and won’t need them anymore.