Introducing Subtraction

Overview

This 30-minute session is designed for Reception students (age 4-5) to introduce the concept of subtraction as “taking away”. The lesson aligns with Curriculum for Wales Foundation Phase Mathematics and Numeracy area, focusing on developing an early understanding of numbers and simple calculations (Number 2, counting forwards and backwards, and understanding subtraction practically).

Learning Intentions

• Pupils will understand subtraction as taking away objects from a group.
• Pupils will use practical equipment to visualise and physically enact subtraction.
• Pupils will begin to recognise subtraction as the inverse of addition.

Curriculum for Wales Alignment

• Numeracy Framework: Learners develop an understanding of number and number operations and apply mental and practical strategies using physical resources.
• Early proficiency strand: "Use concrete materials, pictures and symbols to represent numbers and data."
• Mathematics - Number: Understand and use counting to solve practical problems.

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Structure

1. Introduction & Teacher-led Focus (12 minutes)

Resources:

• Counting cubes (10 per student or shared)
• Small toy animals or plastic fruit (10 per student)
• Large subtraction number line for visual aid (0-10)
• Whiteboard and marker

Activity:

• Start in a circle with all 6 students. Display 5 toy animals on the table.
• Say: "If I have 5 animals and 2 go away to sleep, how many animals are left?"
• Physically remove 2 animals and count remaining aloud together.
• Repeat with different numbers maximising cubes and toys for visual and tactile learning.
• Represent subtraction on the number line by showing how we move backwards: 5 - 2 = 3.
• Write simple subtraction sentences on the board with student involvement: “5 - 2 = 3”
• Invite students to physically take away cubes from a pile and say the subtraction sentence aloud.

Teacher Tips:

• Use clear, slow language emphasising “taking away”.
• Encourage counting out loud and finger pointing for engagement.
• Highlight the vocabulary: subtract, take away, left, fewer.

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2. Independent Practical Task (15 minutes)

Resources:

• Individual sets of 10 counting cubes or connecting blocks
• Laminated cards with subtraction story prompts (e.g., “You have 6 apples, 3 fall down. How many now?”)
• Small trays for the cubes/blocks

Activity:

• Pupils work at their desks with their cubes and a subtracting prompt card.
• They physically start with the number of cubes on the card, then remove the “taken away” amount.
• Pupils count the cubes left and verbally or with teacher support form the subtraction sentence. For example, “6 take away 3 equals 3.”
• Encourage pupils to write (or mark) the subtraction number sentences on mini whiteboards or stamped cards if comfortable.
• Circulate to scaffold and ask guiding questions (“How many did you take away?”, “What do we call this?”)

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3. Plenary & Discussion (3 minutes)

• Gather students back together.
• Each student shares one subtraction story or sentence they created.
• Reinforce the concept of taking away by highlighting how subtraction means finding what’s left when something is removed.
• End with a quick fun subtraction chant or rhyme incorporating the physical action of taking away fingers or blocks.

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Additional Notes

• Use praise to build confidence especially when pupils verbalise subtraction sentences.
• Differentiation: For pupils needing extra support, use smaller numbers (up to 5) and more concrete objects; for advanced learners, extend to subtraction within 10 using number lines or fingers.
• Consider a follow-up sensory tray (e.g., sand or rice) where children can physically remove pebbles or counters to reinforce “take away” concept.
• Link to real-life contexts (eg. “You had 3 biscuits, you ate 1, how many left?”) for meaningful understanding.

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This plan not only introduces subtraction but embeds it through multi-sensory, practical, and language-rich activities in line with UK and Wales Foundation Phase expectations. It invites creativity, dialogue, and physical engagement ideal for Reception learners.