Count Back Without Losing the Start

BrightPath

Name:
Date:

Today I am practising: counting backward to subtract a small amount

For 12 − 2, start at 12. Write the two numbers you say next while counting backward. What is the answer?

For 15 − 3, write one backward count for each of three fingers. Find the difference.

A child counts 14, 13 for 14 − 2 and writes 13. Explain which number should be the first backward count.

Solve 18 − 1. How many backward steps do you take?

Solve 11 − 3, then check by adding 3 to your answer.

Choose 17 − 2 or 13 − 3. Show the counts and explain your start.

Grown-up guide

Model 8 − 2 by saying the start once, then lowering one finger per backward count.
Ask the learner to keep track of steps, not count the starting number as a step.
Use this routine with small subtrahends so the learner can attend to accurate counting.