This free math tutoring video shows the first way to explain how to do mental subtraction. It is basically the opposite of the way of how mental addition is taught. The next video will show another way to teach subtraction, which may be easier for some problems. Both ways should be taught and children can choose which they like best.
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.
The activity in this free math tutoring video is good for developing mental math skills. Once the problems get bigger, children will be able to easily adapt this to larger numbers and add more quickly in their heads. Using the Cuisenaire Rods provides both a visual and tactile way to manipulate numbers instead of only relying on symbols. Young children, and children with dyslexia or dyscalculia often have difficulty fully understanding abstract symbols. Cuisenaire Rods help bridge the gap for them so that they can understand complex math concepts in spite of their learning difficulties.
The activity in this free math tutoring video comes from the Miquon math curriculum. It’s a great way for kids to consolidate their knowledge of our number system, to think critically, and expand their understanding of numbers. Encourage your kids to be as creative (or CRAZY) as possible when they do this. Creating more complex problems will develop their math skills tremendously!
This would also be a good activity to do in small groups so the children can have discussion about their ideas and learn from each other.
