Understand subtraction as decreasing an amount
I can describe and interpret subtraction stories which involve decreasing an amount and write equations to represent this.
Understand subtraction as decreasing an amount
I can describe and interpret subtraction stories which involve decreasing an amount and write equations to represent this.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Decreasing the first amount in a story is a type of subtraction.
- It can be represented as a ‘First, then, now’ story.
- It can also be represented as an equation.
- The first amount in a ‘First, then, now’ story must be written first in an equation.
Keywords
First - Before anything else.
Then - After something in time.
Now - At the present time.
Decrease - Make something smaller in size or quantity.
Common misconception
Children may find the ‘then’ part of the story, where the amount changes, difficult to identify.
Draw attention to the change, talking about it as a decrease.
To help you plan your year 1 maths lesson on: Understand subtraction as decreasing an amount, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 1 maths lesson on: Understand subtraction as decreasing an amount, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 1 maths lessons from the Additive structures: addition and subtraction unit, dive into the full secondary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
